Strelizia regina

Strelizia regina is a plant indigenous to South Africa
It's name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, consort of George III

The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the spathe. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the sunbirds which pollinate the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen

We have had this plant for about 12 years. It took 7 years to flower and this year has four flower spikes, this one being the first to open.