Strelitzia nicolai
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Photo: Mark Hyde
Basset Crescent, New Alexandra Park
Photo: Mark Hyde
Basset Crescent, New Alexandra Park
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| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | Coastal strelitzia (English) Natal wild banana (English) |
| Description: | Evergreen multi-stemmed tree to 12 m. Leaves very large, up to 2 m. Inflorescence compound with one spathe after another arising out of the preceding one up to a total of about 5, each spathe with its group of flowers at right angles to those above and below so that a column with five layers of flowers result. Sepals white. Petals blue. Seeds black with a bright orange woolly aril. |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | nicolai: for the Grand duke Nikolai Nikolaievich the elder, third son of Czar Nicholas I of Russia |
| Flowering time: | All year. |
| Worldwide distribution: | Coastal South Africa (Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal), Mozambique and Zimbabwe. |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Insects associated with this species: | Moltena fiara (Larval foodplant) |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Image last updated: | Wednesday 10 June 2026 |
| Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 62. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 53. Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 119. (Includes a picture). Diniz, M.A. & Lock, J.M. (2010). Strelitziaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(4) Pages 113 - 114. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 233. |
Other sources of information about Strelitzia nicolai:
Our websites:
Flora of Mozambique: Strelitzia nicolaiFlora of Zimbabwe: Strelitzia nicolai
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Strelitzia nicolaiAfrican Plant Database: Strelitzia nicolai
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Strelitzia nicolai
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Strelitzia nicolai
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Strelitzia nicolai
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Strelitzia nicolai
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Strelitzia nicolai
JSTOR Plant Science: Strelitzia nicolai
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Strelitzia nicolai
Plants of the World Online: Strelitzia nicolai
Tropicos: Strelitzia nicolai
Wikipedia: Strelitzia nicolai