Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Dryand. var. juncea (Ker-Gawl.) H.E.Moore

See Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Dryand. for a description of the species.  Juncea is a form with rush-like leaves without leaf-blades, green spathes and flowers with orange calyces and blue corollas from winter to spring.  To 1.5m.  [RHSE, Hortus]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1796.  [RHSD].  ‘In the last edition of the Hortus Kewensis we find six species of this splendid genus, characterized by the late excellent Mr. Dryander with his usual ingenuity and precision.  They are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope.  Our plant will appear at once to differ from parvifolia, by the footstalks being without any leaf at all; yet they are said to be now and then furnished with one like that of parvifolia, even while cultivated in the collections of this country; where however the plant is very rare and scarcely ever seen in blossom.  We have not separated it from parvifolia, not being aware of any difference beyond what we have stated.  The drawing was made in Sir Abraham Hume’s hot-house at Wormleybury, in September last.  The footstalks, we understand, were about three feet high, all without any leaf; the flower-stalk shorter than these.’  [BR f.516/1821]. 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.420/1850]. 

Notes

Published Jan 20, 2009 - 03:52 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 04:37 PM

The image depicts the orange and purple Bird of Paradise flower and leafless foot stalk.  Botanical Register f.516, 1821.

Strelitzia reginae var. juncea (Ker-Gawl.) H.E.Moore | BR f.516/1821 | BHL

Family Strelitziaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa

Synonyms
  • Strelitzia juncea Link.
  • Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Dryand. var. parvifolia Sm.
  • Strelitzia parvifolia Dryand.
  • Strelitzia parvifolia Dryand. var. juncea 
Common Name

Bird of paradise flower

Name in the Camden Park Record

Strelitzia juncea 

Confidence level high