Question 1

True or false: Each bird of paradise bloom lasts only one day before wilting.

Accepted Answer

False. Blooms actually last up to two weeks on the plant and even longer when cut, making them popular in floral arrangements.

Question 2

True or false: You need to plant at least two bird of paradise plants for cross-pollination to get seeds.

Accepted Answer

False. Each flower has both male and female parts, so a single plant can self-pollinate and produce viable seeds.

Question 3

True or false: The plant’s scientific name, Strelitzia, honors a British queen.

Accepted Answer

True. Named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of England, in the 18th century.

Question 4

True or false: The bird of paradise flower can survive temperatures as low as 24°F.

Accepted Answer

True. Though tropical-looking, it’s surprisingly cold-hardy down to about 24°F for short periods, especially if roots are mulched.

Question 5

True or false: Bird of paradise flowers are pollinated exclusively by bats.

Accepted Answer

False. In the wild, they’re pollinated mainly by sunbirds, not bats. The shape perfectly fits a bird perching to drink nectar.

Question 6

True or false: Bird of paradise plants are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Accepted Answer

False. They are actually non-toxic to pets according to the ASPCA, though ingestion may cause mild digestive upset.

Question 7

True or false: The orange and blue petals of the flower are actually modified leaves.

Accepted Answer

True. What look like petals are actually modified bracts (specialized leaves). The true flowers are small and hidden inside the blue “tongue.”

Question 8

True or false: The bird of paradise flower is native to South Africa and can grow up to 30 feet tall.

Accepted Answer

True. The giant Strelitzia nicolai can reach 30 feet in the wild, though the common orange variety tops out around 5 feet.

Bird of Paradise Flower Trivia Questions