Assignment/exercise
USC Plant Profile - Strelitziaceae, Strelitzia reginae Banks
University of the Sunshine Coast
2022
Appears in UniSC Plant Profiles
Abstract
The Strelitzia reginae species in the Strelitziaceae family is exotic to Australia, occurring naturally in South Africa (SANBI 2011). It typically grows in direct sunlight, thriving in well-draining soil (SANBI 2011). The bright orange sepals and bluish-purple petals are most colourful when in bloom usually between April and November but may take 4 - 5 years for the flowers to appear (SANBI 2011). The Strelitzia reginae is regularly used as an ornamental plant (Godofredo & Stuart Jr 2020), prominently used in landscaping as a focal point (SANBI 2011). The bird of paradise is the floral emblem of the USA city of Los Angeles (Godofredo & Stuart Jr 2020). The bird of paradise was first described by Sir Joseph Banks in 1788 (Godofredo & Stuart Jr 2020). Strelitzia was named in honour of George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte from the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and reginae being Latin meaning of the queen (SANBI 2011). Bees are common pollinators of the bird of paradise in flowers, with birds eating and dispersing the seed (SANBI 2011). Hybridisation between the Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia juncea species have been observed where distributions overlap (SANBI 2011). The AbaKwaMthethwa clan of the Zulu Nation have been found to use the decoctions from the plant to treat inflamed glands and venereal diseases (SANBI 2011), and other traditional medicines using the bird of paradise for UTI and STD relief/treatment (Godofredo & Stuart Jr 2020).
Details
- Title
- USC Plant Profile - Strelitziaceae, Strelitzia reginae Banks
- Authors
- Grace Mayne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Location
- Latitude: -27.270 Longitude: 152.982; USC Moreton Bay campus - across from entrance to main building
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date collected
- 22-Mar-2022
- Date published
- 2022
- Copyright note
- © The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99708797802621
- Output Type
- Assignment/exercise; Plant Profile Sheet
- Teaching and Learning
- ENS221; Plant Diversity and Ecology
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