Bird of Paradise flower

A back blip from our recent holiday.

Many of the gardens were full of these attractive Strelitza flowers. I had blipped lizards which were scuttling around on the wall behind but they were usually too quick for a good photo.

The bird-of-paradise flower, or crane flower as it is sometimes known, was first introduced into Britain in 1773 by Sir Joseph Banks, then the unofficial director of the Royal Gardens at Kew (as they were known at that time). He named the exotic-looking plant Strelitzia in honour of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who lived at Kew for many years.

from Kew Gardens website