It is commonly known as bird of paradise, but it is not related to the bird of paradise genus Strelitzia.
The garland which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland, the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers, the Protea, the National flower of South Africa and the Strelitzia, the flower of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).
The Umdoni and Strelitzia are the best-known trees specifically associated with Scottburgh and its environs.
Some plant species from which Malachite Sunbirds feed include many Aloe species, such as Aloe broomii, Aloe ferox and Aloe arborescens, and Protea species, such as Protea roupelliae as well as various other bird-pollinated plants such as Leonotis and Strelitzia.
This drought resistant Strelitzia occurs sparingly near Uitenhage, Patensie and just north of Port Elizabeth.
This species is one of three tree-like Strelitzia species, the other two being S. caudata and S. alba.