What is the history of the plant "bird of paradise"?

Question

Ex:

Where is it native to?

Who brought it out of the region it was native to?

Etc.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Strelitzia reginae Banks is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

History:

Queen Charlotte, (née Duchess Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was the queen consort of George III of the United Kingdom (1738–1820). Inter alia she was a well-educated amateur botanist and helped establish what is today Kew Gardens. Therefore she was named „Queen of Botany“

Her interest in botany induced Joseph Banks, one of the directors of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew  to name the magnificent South African flower, the Bird of Paradise,  he brought to England in 1773, Strelitzia reginae in her honour.

From Great Britain the bird of paradise quickly conquered the whole world:

first Russia, thereafter the westcoast of the United States and Japan.

The Canary Islands are also well known for this plant.

In Los Angeles strelitzias are so extensively planted that it is regarded as the emblem of the city.

Today we are perhaps more used to them as seasonal cut flowers from the horticultural industries which voyages of exploration ultimately enabled.

Answer 2

Some info.