Vine's Flora Friday: The Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise, a tropical flower native to Southern Africa, gets its name from its heavenly bloom which resembles a bird of paradise in flight. It is truly a gorgeous bloom which seems to symbolize heaven itself.

The plant itself usually grows to about 4 feet tall and bears 1 or more flowers. The leaves resemble banana leaves, and the flower contains a shocking, and delicious, palette of colors. It contains a royal blue, sunny yellow, lime green on the stem, and hints of pinkish red.

Birds of Paradise Flowers are usually pollinated by sunbirds, who, while searching for sticky nectar that oozes from the bloom, are dusted with pollen. When the bird flies to another meal, the pollen is transferred to another flower and the result is a leathery, oily fruit. But beware! The seeds are toxic to humans and dogs.

These are one of the Curious Robot's favorite flowers, along with Walking Iris' and Pink Lady Slippers.