The Magnificent Bird of Paradise Flower

The bird of paradise flower is really unique and fascinating. If you have seen the "real" bird of paradise (see the picture below) you will understand why this flower, which belongs to the genus Strelitzia, bears the same name.

The flower has a long stem and grows out of a hard, beak-like sheath. It consists of several brilliant orange pointed petals and purplish blue petals which provide a striking contrast to the orange hue, and join together to form an arrow-like nectary.

The plant can grow upwards of 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide with many sets of beautiful blossoms making it a true wonder to the eyes.

The bird of paradise is the official flower of the city of Los Angeles, California.

I had the privilege of living in Hawaii where these magnificent tropical flowers abound. You see them grow in people's gardens and in public places. They are almost always included in tropical flower arrangements.

The bird of paradise flower also grows in southeast Texas where I currently live although not quite as ubiquitously as in Hawaii since this exotic plant requires protection from the elements when the temperature falls below 30F, which do happen here occasionally in the winter.