By Rkwright
Michigan,
United States 
I bought this bird of paradise last winter at a garden center, it was the only one they had and there was not a label with it. I thought it was an orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) but am beginning to wonder if it is a white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai). I know it is not Heliconia or one of the other bird of paradise plants but I'm not 100% certain if it is an orange or white Strelitzia. Does anyone know of a good way to tell without seeing the flowers?
On plant
Strelitzia reginae
14 Mar, 2014
Answers
Apart from the flower, probably the only other way to tell which one you have is to watch the growth. Strelitzia reginae grows to a height of about 6 feet and Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise) grows up to 20 feet tall.
14 Mar, 2014
Your plant is still to young to truly tell. Nicolai foliage tend to be more musa looking with larger leaves than reginae and as Myron has said the size difference is the biggest give away. Reginae leaves tend to be less rounded and are more spade like. I would let it grow more and check the leaves.
14 Mar, 2014
Hope it prospers and gives you great pleasure.
14 Mar, 2014
Thank you for all the helpful responses! I have gone back and forth on which one I think it is but at this point do think it is orange and not white. In the past year it has not grown much and I re-potted it when I got it because the pot it was in was beginning to split apart. The only other way I know to tell is how stiffly the leaves are held. If the flop like a banana, it is white and if they stay stiffly upright it is orange. Maybe by the end of this summer I will know for sure
14 Mar, 2014
I also have heard that the flower branches of Strelitzia nicolai are a more silvery colour than reginae which tend to be green.
Good luck in finding out what you have and please do let us know what it is.
14 Mar, 2014
Previous question
Sorry RK don't know never had one.
Great to see you again.
14 Mar, 2014