White Bird Of Paradise, Giant Bird of Paradise

A clump-forming tropical plant native to the forested coastal regions of eastern South Africa. The plant's banana-like leaves with winged stems clasp to a trunk that is hidden until exposed as the plant ages and the older leaves fall off. They are dark green, 4 feet long or more, at least 2 feet wide and easily tattered by strong winds.

Exotic foot-long flowers appear from between the leaves on long stems. They are borne in mahogany-brown to indigo boat-like bracts and produce many petals that are white to mauve and a dark blue tongue. The fruit which follows the flowers is a three-celled capsule which splits to expose seeds with funky orange arils.
Related to the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia regina ), this close cousin is a much larger plant forming huge clumps of stems to 30 feet in comparison to S. regina's 3 to 4 feet height.