Birds of Paradise Plant

Birds of Paradise Plant, the Heliconia Golden Torch

When we talk about birds of paradise, what we mean can be flowers or birds. Both of them are beautiful species which have been created by God. Birds of paradise plants are now being traded all over the world for their flowers. Birds of paradise plants can also be found in Manokwari, a city where I live. As a nature lover, I often travel around the mountainous region of Arfak in West Papua. I usually guide European tourists who come to watch the male birds of paradise that perform courtship dance in the mornings and in the afternoons to attract female birds. In order to watch them dancing, we have to wake up early in the morning at around 5 a.m. We can also come again in the afternoon at around 3.00 p.m.. It takes around 10 minutes walking from a tourist guesthouse to the bird watching hut. The hut is covered with natural materials such as twigs, and wooden sticks as well as plant leaves. Tourists need to patiently stay inside the hut for 1 to 3 hours if they really want to watch the magnificent birds of paradise.

In my recent visit to Ubud town of Bali, I saw some species at the backyard of ibu Robin Lim's house. She is a 2011 CNN Hero who runs a clinic that helps pregnant mothers deliver their babies. Her Bumi Sehat clinic has helped thousands of women from all corners of the world.

The town dwellers of Ubud like to plant them in front of their houses. There are several species of plants that are famous in this city. The famous one is Heliconia Golden Torch. Other flower plant that is often offered in flower market is the strelitzia species. Owners of heliconia and strelitzia have to be patient when tending their plants if they want them to have beautiful flowers. In order to produce beautiful flowers, the plants have to receive sufficient sunlight and water. The pollination of the flowers is helped by small birds. But the soil where the flower plant grows must not be too wet or the roots will rot and the plant will die. As a matter of fact, the birds of paradise plant is still in one family with banana plant. We can see their similarities from their leaves.

Another species of plant that is also considered as birds of paradise flower is Heliconia Rostrata. It is also called False Birds of Paradise. I don't know why people add the word "false" but in my opinion, perhaps it only looks like the strelitzia and heliconia golden torch above. The heliconia rostrata's flower is dominated by red color with yellow strip along its top edges.

In the island of New Guinea particularly in Manokwari city, we can see various species of tropical flowers. With the increasing number of new buildings and houses that are now being constructed all over the city, the need for decorative flower plants is also high. Beside the heliconia and strelitzia, dendrobium orchids and bougenville are the most common flower plants which we can see in many houses in the city. These flower plants are suitable for outdoor decoration. The atmosphere will be more relax and livable if we grow various flower plant in front of our houses and offices.

As a tourist guide, I like guiding tourists around Manokwari city. I often see various species of flowers. From golden trumpet to yellow hibiscus and from the poisonous barringtonia asiatica in Mansinam island to hibiscus rosa in the northern coast of Asai. All of them have bright or beautiful vivid colors. In this city, flower trade has not been an important business. People do not see flowers as important agriculture commodity. They only see these tropical flowers as decorative plants which they can grow in front of their houses or at the backyards in small number of shrubs. Most often they are not well tended. With the increasing number of tourists coming to this regency, I see that the role of flowers as decorative plants that are important for creating a nice and friendly atmosphere must not be ignored anymore. Hotels and lodges owners should grow more flower plants in front of their buildings to attract travelers to come and stay at their hotels. The price of bird of paradise flower has not increased in recent years but I believe that it will rise in relevant with the rising demand for this plant. When more people need nice flowers, birds of paradise plant will be one of their choices. So, if you are now considering of decorating your home yard with flowers, why don't you try birds of paradise plant as your own choice? by Charles Roring email: charlesroring@gmail.com