Strelitzia

Strelitzia, commonly known as the 'bird of paradise flower' is in full bloom in the heated Orangery at the Holkham Walled Garden. It is sitting in comfort but waiting in vain for the sunbirds that pollinate the plant in its native South Africa by perching on the green spathe. The weight of the bird on the spathe opens it to deposit pollen on its feet which is then taken to the next flower the bird visits. There is the occasional robin in the Orangery but only the one plant.

Photo below from the South African National Parks website.