Interesting Bird of Paradise flower.

Bird of paradise plants are native to South Africa but are now found in mild climates everywhere. This plant provides dramatic blooms that resemble a bird with a crown. It is also known as the crane flower. The true leaves on the bird of paradise so closely resemble those of a banana plant that the bird of paradise was once classified in the same family. It now has its own classification: Strelitzia reginae.

Bird of Paradise flower in our garden.

A view from the top shows the beautiful purple or blue petals. These heart shapes are the female parts of the flower.

Note in the beginning it has 6 orange or yellow sepals and two of the purple petals.

Then a day later more sepals and petals come out of the flower bract. There are always sets of 3 orange sepals to 1 purple petal.

Source of information from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7221039_structure-bird-paradise-flower.html