Strelitziaceae
	Genera : 3 Species: 7   Links to genus directories: Ravenala Strelitzia

Distribution: The tropical regions of South America, Africa and Madagascar.

Economic Uses: Cultivated as tropical ornamentals and as cut flowers, including the impressive 'traveler's tree' and the unique 'bird of paradise'.

Defining Features of Interest: Although it has been classified in the past within the Musaceae ( or banana family), it differs in the presence of perfect (not unisexual) flowers, in having two-ranked leaves and in the fruit being a capsule and not a berry. The taller species gain their height through the strength of sheathing leaf bases around the stem and do not exhibit any secondary growth, or 'wood'.

Fossil Evidence: No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Zygomorphic and perfect with a well developed hypanthium. Epigynous, Inflorescence a cyme enclosed in a 'boatlike' spathe (bract).

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds with a colored aril and abundant endosperm. Placentation is axile.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as herbs or small trees (without secondary growth, the stemcomprised of sheathing leaf bases). Leaves are large, simple, entire and alternate. Leaves also may tear easily giving the appearance of being pinnately compound.