Strelitziaceae
Strelitziaceae Hutch. family comprises 3 genera and 7 species, distributed naturally in tropical and subtropical Africa and Madagascar. Molecular phylogenetic studies support its close relationship with Heliconiaceae, Musaceae, and Lowiaceae. Members are distinguished by their large banana-like leaves, robust herbaceous or arborescent habit, showy zygomorphic flowers enclosed in boat-shaped bracts, inferior ovaries, and capsular fruits with brightly colored arillate seeds.
Key characteristics
- Large perennial monocots
- Banana-like leaves with sheathing petioles
- Leaves arranged distichously
- Inflorescences enclosed by rigid boat-shaped bracts
- Flowers strongly zygomorphic
- Perianth of six tepals
- Ovary inferior
- Fruit a capsule
Distribution
The family is naturally distributed in Southern Africa, Madagascar. It is widely cultivated throughout Tropical Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Mediterranean regions, Central and South America, Tropical Africa. Typical habitats include Tropical forests, Forest margins, Moist valleys, Coastal plains, Savannas. Strelitziaceae has no native species in Pakistan but is widely cultivated as an ornamental. It occurs in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Botanical gardens, Public parks, University campuses, Private gardens, Landscape plantations. Representative cultivated genera include Strelitzia, Ravenala.