Bird of ParadiseThe soul of man soars as the Bird, the Hansa, past the shining firmaments of physical and mental consciousness, climbs as the traveller and fighter beyond earth of body and heaven of mind by the ascending path of the Truth to find this Godhead waiting for us, leaning down to us from the secrecy of the highest supreme. . ..SRI AUROBINDO
A bird that never flies away.
Heliconia
False bird of paradise, Lobster claw, Wild plantain
Large sturdy erect orange red bracts, somewhat boat-shaped or resembling a lobster claw, enclosing small inconspicuous pale green flowers and arranged alternately in a terminal inflorescence. A clumping rhizomatous herb with leaves that are similar to those of the banana plant.
Photo Courtesy: KENPEISupramental Bird
It remains where it has descended.
Strelitzia reginae
Bird of paradise, Crane flower
Large spectacular orange yellow flower with a dark blue "tongue" that emerges from a folded bract, the whole inflorescence resembling the head of a crested bird; borne on long sturdy stalks. A rhizomatous clumping perennial herb with leaves that are similar to those of the banana plant.
Photo Courtesy: Forest & Kim Starr