| Strelitzia juncea | |
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| Cultivated specimen in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Strelitziaceae |
| Genus: | Strelitzia |
| Species: | S. juncea |
| Binomial name | |
| Strelitzia juncea | |
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| Approximate distribution of Strelitzia juncea in South Africa | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
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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 S. 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]
