Strelitzia nicolai

Strelitzia nicolai is among the few plants which have been verified to contain the pigment bilirubin, which is usually found in animals.^[4]

Distribution

Strelitzia nicolai is one of three larger Strelitzia species, the other two being tree-like S. caudata and S. alba. S. nicolai is restricted to evergreen coastal forest and thicket of eastern South Africa from the Gonubie northwards to southern Mozambique. It is also considered native to Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and is reportedly naturalized in eastern Mexico (State of Veracruz).^[5]

Cultivation

Strelitzia nicolai is commonly grown both indoors and outdoors as well, in the case of warmer climates, and where frost does not occur regularly. It grows particularly well in nearly all of Florida (as long as frost is not a threat), from the Atlantic eastern side to the

It prefers rich, acidic and evenly moist soils with good drainage, in full sun to part shade. However, they will thrive equally well in areas of lower rainfall, provided the area is coastal or gets a decent marine layer throughout the year. These same such areas may also have drier, sandier, or more hard clay soils, with alkaline conditions (such as those found in Southern California); nonetheless, the plant tends to adapt quickly, becoming large and matured specimens. The amount of light is vital for growth, as well as the plant relying on sunlight for adequate flower production. Some specimens can grow in excess of 20 feet high by 10 feet across.

Propagation is done via division of clumps, by cuttings of offsets; less often from seed. Plants require many years of growth before they begin blooming.^[6] In favourable conditions they self-seed freely, and their invasive root systems are best kept away from buildings.^[7]

Gallery

References