Bird of Paradise Flower Trivia Questions

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

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

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

Bird of paradise plants (Strelitzia) are self-sterile. A single plant has both male and female parts but cannot self-pollinate; cross-pollination with a genetically different plant is required to produce viable seeds.

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

The orange parts are sepals and the blue ones are petals, both of which are botanically classified as modified leaves. The true reproductive flowers are tiny and hidden within.

Strelitzia nicolai, the giant bird of paradise, indeed reaches heights up to 30 feet in its native South Africa.

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