COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



79 



during the winter. The species of tlie genus are all large perennial 

 herbaceous plants of South Africa, the present one, Strelitzia Reginae, 

 being about 5 feet in height. Most of the species have striking flowers, 

 but this is the most magnificent of the genus, with its brilliant large 

 orange and purple flowers and its fine ovate green leaves. Several 

 varieties are known, and the one figured apparently belongs to the 

 variety prolifera from its habit of producing a second sheath on the 

 same scape. Though the type was introduced as long ago as 1773, the 

 plant is, even now, not frequently seen. 



