Return to the Key Hutch., Fam. Fl. Pl. 2: 72. 1934. The three
genera and seven species of the family, Strelitzia (five
species), Ravenala (one species), and Phenakospermum (one
species), are restricted to southern Africa, Madagascar, and
South America, respectively. Unique features of the
Strelitziaceae are the woody trunk (absent in some members of
Strelitzia), the bird-like appearance of the inflorescence and
flowers, and the woody, capsular fruit. The popular birds-of-
paradise (Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai) and
traveller's palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) are commonly grown
as landscape and greenhouse ornamentals. Strelitzia was named to
honor Charlotte Sophia of the family Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, who
was the wife of King George III and a patron of botany.