STRELITZIA PARVIFOLIA

VAR. JUNCEA
Reed or Rush Strelitzia

Orange flower, same as the reginae.
There is also a white form and a yellow form to this plant which are extremely hard to obtain.

Description: Juncea begins as a standard looking Strelitzia when very small, after several months the leaves grow smaller at the top of the stem. Over time, this paddle or leaf grows smaller and will disappear into a rush or reed stage. I have observed that some plants do not progress into the first stage with larger paddles, instead they begin with very small paddles, then they grow into the rush or reed stage.

The growth is different to the Reginae, it is a very slow in most cases, it can reach 2m in height on average and looks a lot more delicate in stature. Juncea does not multiply by suckering; the subdivision takes place between the middle leaves of each fan. Juncea is taken from the Latin word juncus, meaning rush.

Plant availability: Very limited at this time.

Origin: South Africa. North of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, Patensie and Uitenhage area.

Habitat: They are drought resistant and live very closely to other native drought resistant plants in the wild.They are slower growing of all the Strelitzia family. They need well drained soil, but will tolerate high rainfall but they need full sun for maximum flowering. Will tolerate light frosts.

Ecology: In its natural habitat, S. juncea is pollinated by sunbirds mainly and sugarbirds.

We are planting large quantities so we can have a constant supply of seed over the next few years.