Strelitzia reginae

Bird-of-paradise Flower Crane Flower

This bold, architectural plant has been grown at Kew since 1773.

It was named by Joseph Banks, the first unofficial director of Kew, in honour of Queen Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenberg-Strelitz, who lived at Kew for many years. Its common name comes from the flower’s resemblance to the showy birds of paradise.

Did you know?
You can see other strelitzias in the Temperate House. There are five species altogether; their flowers are very similar but the sizes and forms of the plants are very varied.

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