Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

Strelitzia juncea

Strelitzia juncea, the rush-leaved strelitzia or narrow-leaved bird of paradise, is a monocotyledonous flowering plant that is indigenous to South Africa. This drought-resistant Strelitzia occurs sparingly near Uitenhage, Patensie and just north of Port Elizabeth. It is the only Strelitzia species which typically lacks a lamina, or leaf blade. It also differs from Strelitzia reginae in having an inflorescence that is shorter than the leaves, while those of S. reginae are taller than the leaves. It is threatened in part by illegal removal for horticultural purposes. This species is thought to be one of the most frost-resistant of the genus Strelitzia.

Last revised
Jun 30, 2026
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Strelitzia juncea
Cultivated specimen in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Strelitziaceae
Genus: Strelitzia
Species:
S. juncea
Binomial name
Strelitzia juncea
Approximate distribution of Strelitzia juncea in South Africa
Synonyms1
  • Strelitzia parvifolia var. juncea (Andrews) Ker Gawl.
  • Strelitzia reginae var. juncea (Andrews) H.E.Moore
  • Strelitzia reginae subsp. juncea (Andrews) Sm.
  • Strelitzia principis Andrews
  • Strelitzia teretifolia Barrow ex Steud.

Strelitzia juncea, the rush-leaved strelitzia or narrow-leaved bird of paradise, is a monocotyledonous flowering plant that is indigenous to South Africa. This drought-resistant Strelitzia occurs sparingly near Uitenhage, Patensie and just north of Port Elizabeth. It is the only Strelitzia species which typically lacks a lamina, or leaf blade.3 It also differs from Strelitzia reginae in having an inflorescence that is shorter than the leaves, while those of S. reginae are taller than the leaves.4 It is threatened in part by illegal removal for horticultural purposes. This species is thought to be one of the most frost-resistant of the genus Strelitzia.5

Other common names include strelitzia, bird of paradise, or crane flower though these names are also collectively applied to other species in the genus Strelitzia.5

References

References

  1. "Strelitzia juncea Andrews". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. "Strelitzia juncea Andrews". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  3. Hogan, Sean (2004). Flora -The Gardener's Bible. Willoghby, New South Wales: Global Book Pub. Pty. Ltd. p. 1375 with photo. ISBN 1-74048-097-X.
  4. Turner, R.J. Jr.; Wasson, Ernie (1999). Botanica. <not given>: Barnes & Noble. p. 862. ISBN 0760716420.
  5. Strelitzia juncea at PlantZAfrica.com
External links