Strelizia regina...but later

This is the next phase of this flower.


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.

The paucity of sunbirds in our conservatory today means that this baby will go unfulfilled!