Wild Bananas

Usually when I ooh and aah over birds in paradise, I'm talking about pelicans or roseate spoonbills, but today it's a specimen of a different plumage. Who could fail to appreciate these exotic beauties? They are not perfumed or particularly lush, but they do stand up and insist upon being noticed. These peacocks of the plant realm actually thrive in the heat and humidity of tropical climes (unlike some of us more fragile fleurs). There is just no ignoring the spectacular crane plant - especially when it's blooming in a shopping mall.

Is life good or what?