Unusual Flowers - Bird of Paradise by Janet

Image copyright 2013 Janet Denne

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is unusual because the majority of flowers types have radial symmetry (e.g. daisies), but this flower is proudly asymmetric!  These flowers are also quite large - about 15-18 cm in length.

Orchids are another group that vary from the norm in their symmetry - most are bilaterally symmetric.

Bird of Paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) by Janet

These bird-like flowers are named after the Birds of Paradise found in the region of Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia.  

Bird of Paradise plants (Strelitzia) are actually related to bananas, being in the same plant family (Musaceae) and have similar leaves. The flowers are orange with a blue tongue, and the reddish-green part is a bract (or modified leaf).