She previously owned a landscaping business for 25 years and worked at a . Its essential to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully lest you hurt your bird of paradise. For other uses, see, The authority for the family Paradisaeidae has traditionally been attributed to the Irish zoologist, Sibley, . Bird of paradise ( Strelitzia reginae) is a striking tropical plant known for its eye-catching orange and blue flowers. Bird of paradise ( Strelitzia reginae) is a dramatic plant with distinctive iridescent orange and midnight blue flowers that resemble an exotic bird peeking out from the broad leaves in autumn, winter and spring. The infestation starts as a cluster of crawlers that often appear as mobile spots on the underside of the leaves. Read more articles about Bird Of Paradise. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Make sure to cover your bird of paradise with the neem oil spray, paying great attention to the undersides of the leaves, tender growths, and nooks of the flowers. This bird of paradise variety, which is native to South Africa and known as the crane flower, has long leathery leaves reminiscent of those on the banana tree, to which it is related. There is considerable variation in the family with regard to bill shape. Best known are the members of the genus Paradisaea, including the type species, the greater bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea apoda. If you notice your plants leaves splitting, this is natural. Frugivores are more social than the insectivores, which are more solitary and territorial. Minor invasions of grasshoppers are easy to keep under control. To get rid of bugs especially mealybugs from bird of paradise, follow these five simple steps. Bird of paradise plants do best in temperatures ranging from 50 to 68F (10 to 20C). These include mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, and spider mites. There are around 45 species divided between 15 genera - Lycocorax, Ptiloris, Manucodia, Epimachus, Phonygamus, Paradigalla, Astrapia, Parotia, Pteriophora, Lophorina, Paradisornis, Paradisaea, Seleuchidis, Semioptera, and Drepanornis. In its native Africa, Strelitzia junceais only found in six locations along the Eastern Cape, and it is listed as Vulnerable due to quarrying and industrial development, illegal collection for the horticultural trade, and invasive plants. To get rid of bugs on bird of paradise use a cotton swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. Bird-of-paradise plants serve as a good home for mealybugs because of the soft growth and high nitrogen content that the pests prefer. In spite of differences in the mouth, foot morphology and nesting habits they remained in the family until a 2000 study moved them to a separate family closer to the berrypeckers and longbills (Melanocharitidae). The San Diego Zoo began caring for birds of paradise in 1925; over the years, we have housed 19 species between the Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. . It blooms repeatedly with red-orange flowers. In temperate areas it is a popular houseplant. In 1968, a pair of lesser superb birds of paradise raised a chick at the Zoo, the first successfully reared young of any bird of paradise at the Zoo, and the first hatching . The Bird of Paradise is also known as a crane flower because it looks like a graceful bird with a long neck. Your bird of paradise may be covered by ants farming the honeydew. Mealybugs leave ooze honeydew that stimulates the growth of black sooty mold. It is named for its resemblance to the showy forest birds known as birds-of-paradise. Carley Miller is a horticultural expert at Bustling Nest. "The Lesser Melampitta is a Bird of Paradise", Last edited on 16 February 2023, at 12:44, Rothschild's lobe-billed bird-of-paradise, International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, "Crows, mudnesters, melampittas, Ifrit, birds-of-paradise", "Evolution of correlated complexity in the radically different courtship signals of birds-of-paradise", "On the characters and natural affinities of several new birds from Australasia; including some observations on the Columbidae", "Observations on the natural affinities that connect the orders and families of birds", "An unexpectedly long history of sexual selection in birds-of-paradise", "What is not a bird of paradise? Many scattered bite marks or ragged holes in the foliage can be seen when grasshoppers have invaded your plant. The three species of satinbird (the genera Cnemophilus and Loboparadisea) were treated as a subfamily of the birds-of-paradise, Cnemophilinae. If you're interested in other unusual tropical plants like bird of paradise, check out lobster claws (Heliconia) and bromeliads, which might just be one of the easiest and showiest tropical houseplants to grow. Some examples of these predatory insects are ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana), Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii), 30 Types of Jade Plants (Crassula) to Grow Yourself, Juniper Tree Types: How to Find the Best One, 35 Best Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Warmer Zones, 25 Types of Evergreen Tree to Add to Your Yard, Bird of Paradise: Plant Care & Growing Guide, 20 Plants With Flowers That Bloom in Winter, 15 Types of Aquatic Flowers to Grow in Water, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow. The birds-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. Many of them fly to West Papua to watch various species of birds of paradise from Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes respublica) and Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra) in Raja Ampat to Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius), crescent-caped lophorina (Lophorina niedda),[26] and Magnificent Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus) in Susnguakti forest. Yulan Magnolias. It is a resilient plant and with consistent care, will often reward you with fresh new leaves. It would be best if you feed your bird of paradise a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer. Birds-of-paradise are closely related to the corvids. Caterpillars are easy to spot on your bird of paradise. The popular Birds-of-Paradise plant bears a unique flower that resembles a brightly colored bird in flight, giving it the common name, Bird of Paradise. These woolly worms are larvae of a variety of butterflies and moths. Male Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise specimen. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Over the years, Ive found pyrethrin-containing insecticides to be effective against large infestations of mealybugs. Following the results of the test, apply the oil to the entirety of the plant, including the areas underneath the leaves. In their native South Africa, these are also known as crane flowers, because they resemble the head of a crowned crane. [3][a][b] For many years the birds-of-paradise were treated as being closely related to the bowerbirds. For heavy invasions of mealybugs, swabbing with cotton swabs containing rubbing alcohol may not do the trick. [21] The typical number of eggs in each clutch varies among the species and is not known for every species. The flowers, which have a striking resemblance to tropical birds, are what gives the plant its unusual name. Add compost or other organic matter to soil prior to planting. Systemic insecticides, or insecticides that are taken up through the roots to circulate through the whole plant, are especially effective. The seeds are expelled when the pods dry out; this plant self-seeds very easily and can escape and naturalize into surrounding areas. With proper care, a bird of paradise can grow to over six feet tall, even indoors. Kew Science also lists it as growing, as an introduced species, on the Juan Fernndez Islands (a remote archipelago off the west coast of Chile), and throughout Mexico.. Those other two are the monotypic genera Lycocorax and Semioptera, both of which are endemic to the Maluku Islands, to the west of New Guinea. They reproduce rapidly but rarely do a lot of damage to your plant even in large numbers. [2] These small, pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects can be black, red, green, gray, pink, white, or yellow. The Bird Of Paradise, or 'Crane Flower' plant is known for its stunning flowers that resemble the shape of a tropical bird. In their trail of invasion, they leave either large blotches or long winding, squiggly lines or tunnels on the foliage. The Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa where it receives a lot of light and warmth. The Indonesian Army has a Military Area Command named after "Cenderawasih", the local name for the bird. The first Europeans to encounter their skins were the voyagers in Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the Earth. Spacing out your houseplants and reducing localized humidity can help keep most bugs at bay. Younger males of these species have female-like plumage, and sexual maturity takes a long time, with the full adult plumage not being obtained for up to seven years. 6 in Orange Flower Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia reginea) in Grower Pot. Derived from plant pyrethrum, this naturally occurring insecticide is safe, effective, and environmentally friendly when used both indoors and outdoors. A healthy, mature bird-of-paradise can produce up to 36 flower spikes a year. These minuscule, sap-sucking insects typically appear as white patches of cottony white fuzz on leaves. Female Standardwing bird-of-paradise specimen. It blooms repeatedly with clusters of yellow flowers that resemble azaleas, and the leaf shape and seed pods make it obvious that it is a member of the legume family. Fill a large pot that's at least 12 inches wide and deep, depending on the size of the plant with potting mix. Apply a thorough coating until the rush runs off your bird of paradise, ensuring to cover the backs of the leaves. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. In correspondence to its South African origin, this plant must be cultivated in humid, warm, and tropical climates. Neem oil is effective in the same way as insecticidal soap is, but it also has other benefits, including the ability to kill fungi. They are rivalled only by a few pheasants and hummingbirds in colour and in the bizarre shape of the males' plumage. Isolate sick or infected plants When you spot any bugs, be sure to remove the affected plant from the rest to prevent the pests from spreading to healthy ones. The closest evolutionary relatives of the birds-of-paradise are the crow and jay family Corvidae, the monarch flycatchers Monarchidae and the Australian mudnesters Struthideidae. Taxonomy [ edit] Joseph Banks described the species in 1788. If the first application doesnt work, try again in a week or two. Read our. If you catch the infestation early when the scale insects are still crawlers, you can easily use insecticidal soap spray to get rid of them. Female Goldie's bird-of-paradise specimen. We also share information about your use of our website with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners in accordance with our. In full flower, a bird-of-paradise looks a bit like several birds hidden in a clump of foliage, craning their necks up and turning their plumed heads and pointed beaks in different directions. Sulfur-based and pyrethrin insecticides are particularly effective against most types of spider mites. The birds-of-paradise have a variety of breeding systems, ranging from monogamy to lek-type[2] polygamy. Permethrin sprays are another effective control for leaf borers. As a first measure, you must use a strong spray of water to blast off some of the spider mites from your bird of paradise. Light Requirements. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. In the right conditions, it can bloom year round. Our Top 11 Plants that look like birds are as follows: Bird of Paradise. Maybe the most common problem pests with bird of paradise plants are mealybugs and scale. Tropical Bird of Paradise is a surprisingly sturdy tropical shrub in hot climates. However, the majestic foliage and graceful stems make a statement on their own. As with body size, bill size varies between the sexes, although species where the females have larger bills than the male are more common, particularly in the insect-eating species. Stunted or curled leaves and foliage discoloration due to excessive bruising, Look for any kind of webbing between leaves, With time, the leaves on your bird of paradise will appear scorched, droop, and fall off, Skeletonized foliage due to heavy feeding, Scalloping on the edges and tips of the leaves, They suck out nutrient-rich sap, causing distorted, stunted, or deformed flowers & foliage. Soak the root system with a running hose for about 10 to 15 minutes. The diet of all species is dominated by fruit and to a lesser extent arthropods. Fungus gnats aren't necessarily a . Youll likely see small moving particles the size of dust on the paper. A number of species are threatened by hunting and habitat loss. This plant and Caesalpinia species have much smaller flowers than the Strelitzia bird of paradise plants. This Flower Symbolized African being exotic and sub-tropical locale, Working well in formal landscapes or more tropical casual design. They usually attack outdoor/garden birds of paradise in summer and spring. . Strelitzia juncea is hardy in Zones 9. It gets its name from its brightly colored, spiky flowers that look like a tropical bird in flight. Compare $ 65 98 (3) Model# CO.3.WB11.SEA. 412. The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world. It has somewhat better cold tolerance than C. pulcherrima, remaining evergreen down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to these three species, a number of systematically enigmatic species and genera have been considered potential members of this family. Weather for Bird of Paradise Outdoors. Today while both are treated as being part of the Australasian lineage Corvida, the two are now thought to be only distantly related. [28], The naturalist, explorer and author Alfred Russel Wallace spent six years in the region, which he chronicled in The Malay Archipelago (published in 1869). The family is overall an important seed disperser for the forests of New Guinea, as they do not digest the seeds. Either way, insecticidal soaps kill birds of paradise pests on contact. Repeat the treatment every 5-7 days until you rid your bird of paradise of the bugs. [13], A genus level phylogeny of the family has been determined by Martin Irestedt and collaborators. The bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) plant is a large, showy shrub that features brilliantly orange and blue flowers that are shaped like birds in flight. Add to Cart. Dont forget that soil needs good aeration to stay healthy and dry out uniformly. Common Name: Bird of paradise Scientific Name: Strelitzia spp Soil: Organic potting soil Light: Full sun Water: Moist summer, almost dry winter Food: Houseplant food Temperature and Humidity:. The large gray-green leaves can easily be confused with its relative, the banana tree. Make sure to spray hot zones like the back of leaves, undersides of flowers, and stems. Their attractive yellow flowers in bunches attract sunbirds, hanging parrots, lorikeets, bulbuls and mynas in urban locations LINK. Bird of paradise is a spectacular plant that's closely related to the banana. 10in White Bird Of Paradise. This is the most well known bird-of-paradise, with its brilliantly colored flowers: blue base petals arising from a dark green spathe, topped with an upright fan of bright orange sepals. Here's how to care for birds of paradise to keep them at their best. Family: Strelitziaceae Common Name: Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower, Banana Tree Botanical Name: Strelitzia Nicolai 'White Bird'. insecticides are well-known for getting rid of caterpillar invasions. Maintain good ventilation around your plant Space your plants out, prune your bird of paradise if it has too many leaves, and use an oscillating fan in areas of low airflow. Its a showy plant, which makes it all the more devastating when it runs into trouble. Two of the blue petals join together to form a nectary - an organ that secretes nectar. Plant specs. Keep reading to learn more about bugs that attack bird of paradise plants. Bird-of-paradise belong to the same taxonomic group as ginger and banana plants. This beautiful tropical Strelitzia will potentially produce stunning white and blue flowers once it reduces maturity (typically takes five years+!). [9], A 2009 study examining the mitochondrial DNA of all species to examine the relationships within the family and to its nearest relatives estimated that the family emerged 24 million years ago, earlier than previous estimates. If the soil stays wet or becomes soggy, this will attack pests. Place floating row-covers in your garden as this will prevent egg-laying insects from getting to your bird of paradise. Coat your bird of paradise thoroughly with the oil spray to suffocate the bugs. In rural areas, the tree would attract more nectar-feeding birds other than sunbirds. It would help if you avoided scorching direct sunlight or dark areas. For instance, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) Male Standardwing bird-of-paradise specimen. Closely related to the red bird of paradise, the Mexican bird of paradise, a native of northern Mexico, is another broad-leaved evergreen tree but with flowers that tend toward yellow. Then, spray the plants two or three times with a light horticultural oil, such as Year Round. Bird of paradise plants are also known as crane flowers, a more precise description of the shape of their blooms. But it has white sepals forming the crown and a bluish-purple tongue. Its thick-growing and dense evergreen foliage serve as an attractive turf grass alternative. Bird of Paradise ( Strelitzia reginae) is native to South Africa. Others, such as the Cicinnurus and Parotia species, have highly ritualised mating dances. humming bird . Add to Cart. Across the family (Paradisaeidae), female preference is incredibly important in shaping the courtship behaviors of males and, in fact, drives the evolution of ornamental combinations of sound, color, and behavior. Riri had an attempted drowning from someone Pouring it Up in a pot with no drainage and now she has nanana-no fullness. That is why it is very upsetting when your Strelitzia reginae is attacked by mealybugs, scale, aphids, and other bugs. Caterpillars are usually invasive to outdoor or garden birds of paradise. It can be grown outdoors in a frost-free location with protection from strong winds. You can also use equal proportions of peat moss and seed starting mix. The first control method is using rubbing alcohol. [10][14].mw-parser-output table.clade{border-spacing:0;margin:0;font-size:100%;line-height:100%;border-collapse:separate;width:auto}.mw-parser-output table.clade table.clade{width:100%;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label{min-width:0.2em;width:0.1em;padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;border-bottom:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label::before,.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel::before{content:"\2060 "}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width{overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.first{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel{padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:top;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.last{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar{vertical-align:middle;text-align:left;padding:0 0.5em;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar.reverse{text-align:right;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf{border:0;padding:0;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leafR{border:0;padding:0;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf.reverse{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkA{background-color:yellow}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkB{background-color:green}, Pteridophora King of Saxony bird-of-paradise, Seleucidis twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, Semioptera standardwing bird-of-paradise, Diphyllodes birds-of-paradise (2 species), Paradisaea birds-of-paradise (6 species). Females grow up to 40mm, the largest in Soft Bug suborder. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the head and crown of a bird, the blooms appear sporadically through the growing seasonas many as 25 times per year. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In addition, the number of natural bird pollinators has declined and the plants produce few seeds, further endangering their survival. The majority of species are found in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. Shake the bottle to combine. 5. The majority of bugs that invade birds of paradise do thrive in wet conditions. As such, you should avoid overwatering your bird of paradise or letting it sit on wet feet.. However, if theyre devastating your bird of paradise, you want to use a biological insecticide to do away with caterpillars for good. The birds of paradise produce unique sounds and bear many bright colors, with uniquely beautiful feathers. One of the best areas for the plant is in Southern California, where it seems ubiquitous along sidewalks and promenades. Some other bugs that attack bird of paradise plants include caterpillars, snails, and grasshoppers, which all make their presence known with bite marks on the leaves. Bird of paradise plants in the Strelitzia or Caesalpinia genus are typically easy to grow in warm climates as ornamental plants or indoors in colder areas. Hybrid birds-of-paradise may occur when individuals of different species, that look similar and have overlapping ranges, confuse each other for their own species and crossbreed. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. Most Strelitzia species are hardy in USDA Zones 10-12, where temperatures do not dip below 50-54F or 10-12C. Native to South Africa, the bird-of-paradise is commonly grown in subtropical parts of the United States and is popular in cut flower arrangements. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Fill in the germination tray with desired potting mix. Female Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise specimen. Affected flowers and tender growths may also appear stunted and distorted. Description. The family has 45 species in 17 genera. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This couldnt be truer when it comes to protecting your bird of paradise from pests and diseases. From these flowers seed is generated and pollinated by a host of insects. Though the Caesalpinia bird of paradise varieties grow well in part shade when planted outdoors, they need as much light as possible when grown as houseplants. [9], Plumage variation between the sexes is closely related to breeding system. The shape of these plants and the appearance of their flowers is starkly different than Strelitzia species. Spray your bird of paradise using insecticidal soap, horticultural oils (like neem oil), or insecticides to kill most of these bugs. Respray after every 4-7 days until the bugs are gone. Another natural control is to use caterpillars natural predators. On the other hand, natural predators like Lacewing larvae, ladybird beetles, wasps, predatory shield bugs, assassin bugs, and damsel bugs are effective against aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, and even scale insects. Molecular and morphological evidence places, "The systematic affinity of the enigmatic. The Bird of Paradise has bright and striking split leaves that resemble that of a banana tree. Scales are the most common bird of paradise bugs. There are 42 species of the birds-of-paradise, native to New Guinea, Australia, and the nearby islands. [16], The diet of the birds-of-paradise is dominated by fruit and arthropods, although small amounts of nectar and small vertebrates may also be taken. Birds of paradise are so attractive that their appearance once made them the target of skin hunters, who decimated some species. Temperature and Humidity. . This plant does fine in sun to partial shade. Bird of paradise is a spectacular plant thats closely related to the banana. Male King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise specimen. Light: P. [9] The silktail of Fiji has been linked with the birds-of-paradise many times since its discovery, but never formally assigned to the family. Weight: Weight varies depending on species, from. Separate the roots with your fingers or a sharp, disinfected knife. They like to munch on the tender growths, such as new leaves and stems. Many of the species described in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are now generally considered to be hybrids, though some are still subject to dispute; their status is not likely to be settled definitely without genetic examination of museum specimens, which will come soon in summer 2021 in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and some birds in an aviary in Central Park Zoo. Its a sticky, sugary substance excreted by aphids as undigested sap. "Phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomic consequences in a bird-of-paradise species complex, "Display dispersion and diet of birds of paradise: a comparison of nine species", "Discovery of a rare hybrid specimen known as Maria's bird of paradise at the Staatliches Naturhistorisches Museum in Braunschweig", "Flights of fancy: The bird of paradise and its cultural impact", "Rare Footage of New Bird of Paradise Species Shows Odd Courtship Dance | Nat Geo Wild", "Reproduction by Captive Unplumed Male Lesser Bird of Paradise Paradisaea minor: Evidence for an Alternative Mating Strategy? If the stems do not come apart easily, use a sharp, disinfected knife to cut them apart. Scale appears as hard little brown spots on the stems and undersides of the leaves. It blooms repeatedly with red-orange flowers. Use nitrogen-rich fertilizers sparingly. Bird of paradise is a truly showy specimen with its glossy tropical foliage and brightly colored blooms. Bird of paradise seeds are black and are coated in orange hairs, known as the aril, which you need to remove before sowing. They range in color from brown to red. His expedition team shot, collected and described many specimens of animals and birds, including the great, king, twelve-wired, superb, red and six-shafted birds of paradise.[29]. The flowers bloom from spring to late summer, and they produce copious amounts of nectar that is attractive to sunbirds in their native Africa and orioles in the US. [9], The centre of bird-of-paradise diversity is the large island of New Guinea; all but two genera are found in New Guinea. Join. The bird of paradise plant is fairly easy to grow as long as it gets warmth, bright light, and a humid atmosphere. These tropical plants can withstand some cold, but freezes can damage the thin broad leaves. Tropical looking leaves can . Add to Cart. When grown indoors, there will not be enough light to trigger the plant to produce a bloom. If you find adult mealybugs, nymphs, or eggs in any of your tools or equipment, get rid of them. Other telling signs of caterpillar infestation may include: You must remove most caterpillars by hand when you spot them on your bird of paradise. They become weak, unhealthy, and therefore prone to disease and bugs. The Bird of Paradise can handle direct and bright indirect light. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Mealybugs can be discouraged by lowering the temperature to 60 F for plants that can handle it. As with mealybugs, its best to use a combination of strategies to control and get rid of spider mites. The fernlike leaves identify it as a member of the legume family. White Bird Plant in Natural Decor Basket. Its exotic appearance, with unique and brightly colored flowers that look like the head of a bird, has made it a favorite with horticulturists, designers, florists, and gardeners. This is to protect their large leaves from snapping from rain and wind. 7. In fact, a surefire sign of aphids, other than physically seeing them, are ants covering the plants as they farm the sweet honeydew these pests leave behind. The bird of paradise plant is a great choice for bringing a touch of the exotic to a bright, sunny room.