Perennial herbs or banana-like trees with true stems (in contrast to Musaceae which have stems formed by sheathing leaf bases)
Leaves
distichous, sheathing at base, usually large to very large, channelled down face, rarely reduced to a bladeless petiole
Inflorescence
: peduncles arising from axils of leaves, producing a ± boat-shaped coriaceous bract at apex; bract sheathing a cincinnate inflorescence, sometimes secondary inflorescences produced from axis of first
Petals
3, ± free, 2 lower connivent and forming a ± sagittate blade, with a central channel containing stamens and style; third (upper) petal much smaller
Stamens
5; anthers 2-thecous, with parallel thecae with longitudinal slits
Ovary
inferior, 3-locular, with many axile ovules in each locule; style with 3 linear stigmatic branches
Fruit
a woody, 3-angled, loculicidal capsule
Seeds
few, globose with a woolly aril
x = 7, 11
Nomenclature:
Strelitzia
Aiton
Aiton: 285 (1789)
Wright: 316 (1913)
Dyer: tt. 995, 996, 997 (1946)
575 (1972)
Moore & Hyypio: 65 (1970)
Dyer: 519 (1975)
Distribution & Notes:
Global
: Species 5, Zimbabwe and eastern southern Africa
Southern Africa
: Northern Province, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal to Western Cape near Knysna
References:
AITON, W. 1789.
Hortus kewensis
. George Nicol, London
DYER, R.A. 1946.
Strelitzia alba
(L.f.) Skeels,
S. nicolai
Regel & Koern.,
S. caudata
R.A.Dyer.
Flowering Plants of Africa
25
DYER, R.A. 1972. Vegetative multiplication of
Strelitzia reginae
and its allies.
Bothalia
10
DYER, R.A. 1975. The status of
Strelitzia juncea
.
Bothalia
11
MOORE, H.E. & HYYPIO, P.A. 1970. Some comments on
Strelitzia
[
Strelitziaceae
].
Baileya
17
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