Bird-of-paradise flower
Strelitzia reginae
When a bird lands on this flower, pollen is transferred onto the bird's breast to fertilise the next flower. More about this plant on www.kew.org
Related object in the collection
Bust of Sir Joseph Banks
On display in Room 1
The stunning bird-of-paradise flower, or crane flower, is one of the most well known in the world.
It was named by Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), a botanist and Trustee of the British Museum.
Images:
Bird of paradise © Richard Wilford, Stephen Ruddy, RBG Kew
Bronze portrait bust of Sir Joseph Banks by Anne Seymour
Damer
© Trustees of the British Museum
