FOR THE LETTER " B "
May I introduce the lovely flower: Bird of Paradise as my letter B word for this round..... an unusual stunning flower that represents joyfulness and paradise.
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| Shaped like a bird's beak and plumage.....makes me wonder are you a bird or a flower! |
Doesn't he look like he's laughing?
But before I go any farther, I want to thank the lovely and wonderful Miss Jenny, (who brightens my/our world just by being here, and posting these fun games for us all)
Also, (drum roll please!!) ..... I happened to be the lucky number winner this time during Miss Jenny's fun fall autmness! Sorry I'm like a week behind, but I was on vacation when the news came out but I have the unbelievable prize now!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box tonight! Thank you so much Miss Jenny, from the bottom of my heart!
Did I mention the runner is designed for Thanksgiving/autumn on one side and Christmas on the other!
Okay, now on with my letter B and the lovely "Bird of Paradise" Flower....
I came face to face with this lovely flower just recently. It sure doesn't grow in Minnesota but it was everywhere I went in California.
The Bird of Paradise Flower is an herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the genus Strelitzia, or crane flower. It has about five species, native to South Africa as well. It thrives in Southern Florida, California and Hawaii.
Did I mention it resembles the actual Bird of Paradise?
(Sorry I didn't get to photograph the bird....)
Did you know: The Bird of Paradise flower is the 9th wedding anniversary flower?
This unusual shaped showy flower or rather genus Strelitzia more commonly called is classified in the family Musuceae as being closely related to the (banana family).
The plant is trunkless, and its oblong leaves, growing to 1 foot, often rise 3 feet high directly from the rootstock. The large flowers are orange or scarlet, combined with blue and white.
Can you spot the Bird of Paradise flowers growing in the picture?
This is why they resemble brilliantly colored birds ready to fly from a boat-shaped nest, which is a purple bract as long as 8 inches. They require rich soil, (Minnesota does have that) and abundant water, we sure have that too, but it's the sunlight and of course Minnesota's nature to become rather wintry that makes their taking root here probably not such a good idea!
Have I teased you enough with this lovely flower, and perhaps you have a special B something you care to share........ just go here
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/11/alphabe-thursdays-letter-b.html
