Bird of Paradise Flower

This is flowering in the conservatory at the moment. 

I knew it was a Bird of Paradise, or Crane, flower.

I didn't know that its scientific name,  chosen by the great Jospeh Banks in 1788  (although  the plant was introduced to Britain fifteen years earlier)  is   Strelitzia Reginae and is named after the Duchy of Meklenburg-Strelitz,  and Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III , who was born there. 

You literally learn something every day....which is good....