Also strelitza. [f. Strelitz (after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen to Geo. III.) + -IA.] A genus of herbaceous plants (N.O. Musaceæ), natives of S. Africa; also a plant of this genus.
1789. W. Aiton, Hortus Kewensis, I. 285. Strelitzia…. Canna-leav’d Strelitzia. Nat. of the Cape of Good Hope. Introd. 1773, by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart.
1836. A. F. Gardiner, Journ. Zoolu Country, i. 17. We slept well under the shade of some strelitza trees (very similar to wild banana).
1902. Pall Mall Mag., June, 252/1. Occasional tree ferns and strelitzias … are a reminder that … the country is in the tropics.
