Re: Strelitzia dead-heading

Jason wrote:

>Isn't there an unusual arborescent Strelitzia - not S.
>nicolai - that grows along the south coast of South
>Africa, where winter and summer rainfall zones
>overlap? I recall seeing a slide show once in which
>this plant was pictured. Perhaps it has been subsumed
>under S. nicolai.

There is Strelitzia alba (augusta) which can reach over 10 metres and
bears very large purplish spathes from which arise white sepals and
petals.  The inflorescences are very short stalked and are clustered
within the leaf axils.  The large, banana like leaves are carried in a
distinctive fan-like arrangement and are readily torn into ribbons by
the wind.

Strelitzia caudata is similar but rather smaller in overall dimensions
(to around 4 metres) with rose coloured spathes and all white flowers.
It may be a sub species of S. alba.  Both species are more northerly
in their distribution than S. nicolai and are less tolerant of cool
temperatures.


David Poole
TORQUAY  UK
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