Strelitzia is a genus of five species of
perennial plants, native to
South Africa. The genus is named after the
duchy
of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of
Queen Charlotte of the
United Kingdom. The common name of the genus is bird of
paradise flower, because of a supposed resemblance of its
flowers to the
bird of paradise. In South Africa it is commonly known as a
"crane" flower.
The birds of paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. They are found in western Indonesia, Torres Strait Islands, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia. The members of this family are perhaps best known for the plumage of the males of most species, in particular highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings or head.
