The Strelitziaceae comprise a
family of
monocotyledonousflowering plants, very similar in appearance and growth habit to members of the related families
Heliconiaceae and
Musaceae (
banana family). The three genera with seven species[2] of Strelitziaceae have been included in Musaceae in some classifications, but are generally recognized as a separate family in more recent treatments such as the
APG II system (2003). The APG II system assigns the Strelitziaceae to the order
Zingiberales in the
commelinid clade.
Taxonomy
The Strelitziaceae include three
genera, all occurring in tropical to subtropical regions: Strelitzia with five species in southern
Africa, Ravenala with a single species in
Madagascar, and Phenakospermum with a single species in northern
South America. The best-known species is the bird-of-paradise flower Strelitzia reginae, grown for its flowers worldwide in
tropical and
subtropicalgardens, and a well-known flower in
floristry. The other species of Strelitzia have less colourful flowers and are grown instead for their striking foliage. Also grown for its foliage is the traveller's tree, Ravenala madagascariensis.