Even in Paradise, Birds vary in sizes & colors

No, this is not an post about birds, but about birds of paradise.

When you say Birds of Paradise, most see the Strelitzia Reginæ in their minds, a beautiful bright orange tropical flower, with a bright blue stamen, reminiscent of a bird taking flight.

Strelitzia Reginæ … Bird of Paradise

But few are those who imagine the very similar, but much bigger and less colorful version.  Nearly black and white, it is the bloom of the Strelitzia Nicolai, a much larger plant with leaves 5 to 10' long and that can develop a trunk and reach a height of 30' !!

Strelitzia Nicolai … Giant Bird of Paradise
This bloom is about 5' from the ground and
its two flowers are about 12-18" each!

The regular Bird of Paradise (Stretlitzia Reginæ) can reach 4 - 6' in height with flowers up to 9" long and never develops a trunk.  So what the Stretlitzia Nicolai does not have in terms of flower magnificence, it makes up for it with huge, lush and beautiful tropical foliage.

Those are the two most common types of Birds of Paradise you will find in California.  But there are at least 4 other varieties.