Strelitziaceae Family is consist of 5 species, which naturally grown in South Africa. These species are, St.Regina, St.regina juncea, St.alba, St.caudata and St.nicolai.

Natal Wild Banana grows mostly in coastal dune vegetation and in evergreen forests near the coast. It grows in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal at South Africa, and up into Mozambique towards Zimbabwe.

The name Strelitzia was given to honour Queen Charlotte England (she was from the family of Mecklenburg-Strelitz). Nicolai comes from, Grand duke Nikolay Nikolayeviç, son of Czar Nicholas I of Russia.

Strelitzia nicolai grows up to 10m high and 4m wide. It is an evergreen tree with multi-stems that form dense clumps. Although not related to the true bananas or the wild banana (Ensete ventricosum), the leaves and growth habit of Natal Wild Banana are somewhat similar and probably account for the common name. The stem is woody and smooth in texture. It is light to dark grey in colour and marked with old leaf scars. Attached to the stem by long, thick leaf stalks are the enormous, opposite leaves that are shiny and grey-green in colour. Leaf blades can reach up to 2m, these tear in the wind and come to resemble giant feathers.

The flower of Strelitzia nicolai is a typical crane-flower inflorescence, up to 50mm long. The flowers of this tree have white sepals with blue petals and consist of 5 purplish blue, boat-shape sheaths. The whole flower resembles the head of the bird, with a white crest and purple beak. The tree flowers throughout the year with a peak in spring-summer. The inflorescence have more than one flower. The seeds are black in colour, with a tuft of a bright orange woolly aril on the lobe. They are produced mostly in autumn and some in spring.

Natal Wild Banana’s leaf stalks are dried and used to make a rope for building huts. The flowers provides nectar that attracts sunbirds. Monkeys feed on the soft part of the flowers as well as on the orange aril of the seeds.

Propagation is done from seeds, also it is possible to prapagate this tree from root suckers. To grow from seed, orange arils should be removed before sowing. Seeds should be covered with 5-10mm layer of compost. Seedlings should be kept in a shady spot for the first season. Once planted out this plant is fast growing. It will grow in semi-shade or full sun and requires a moderate amount of water.

Strelitzia nicolai is drought tolerant, but it does not tolerate frost more than -4⁰C, so should be planted in a protected spot in temperate climates. It withstands salty coastal winds, making it a good feature plant or screen for coastal gardens.

Use in Landscape: Natal Wild Banana is an eye catching evergreen, effective throughout the year and is useful for creating a lush, tropical effect. It can be used to softened hard landscaping, buildings and pools. It also looks good contrasted with evergreen lawns and shrubs. As the root system is a bit aggressive, it should not to be planted too close to paths and structures. Strelitzia nicolai can be used as an eye catching pot plant in cool places or in small gardens, also it is a good choise for winter gardens.