Coastal Strelitzia

Afrikaans name: Natalse Wildepiesang

Coastal Strelitzia at Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Photo © Steven Herbert

Strelitzia nicolai

The Coastal Strelitzia, or Natal Wild Banana as it is sometimes called, can grow to a height of around 12 metres.

The flowers are similar to the Crane Flower, but they are not as attractive as that plant. These two plants are actually related. The flowers attract birds such as sunbirds and Spectacled Weavers. Vervet Monkeys may also be seen feeding on the flowers.

As its name suggests the Coastal Strelitzia is found along the coast from around East London through to Mozambique. It is commonly seen in areas of grassland near the coast.

The leaves of the Coastal Stelitzia can reach a length of 2 metres.

References and further reading

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 119

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 436

Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 32

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 60

The Gardener - 2008/11 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 73

The Gardener - 2008/12 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 64

The Gardener - 2021/06 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 25

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 75

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 106

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 5

The Beach Book - Author: Jerry Gosnell - Published: 2011 - Page: 110

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 124

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 12

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 294

Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 49

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 396

Gardening with Indigenous Shrubs - Author: David and Sally Johnson, Geoff Nichols - Published: 2002 - Page: 100

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 173

Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of South Africa (updated edition) - Author: John Manning - Published: 2019 - Page: 48

Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa - Author: John Manning - Published: 2009 - Page: 48

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 81

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 19

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 80

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 229

For more info: SANBI

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