This is Sinningia bullata that has it all... It features the wonderful furry stuff and it's ORANGE which gets it extra points and it has the bumpy leaves.
Summing it up, is is pretty much the perfect Sinningia.
Now the questions remain. What is the function of the furry stuff? What is the fluff made out of? (Leaf cells modified?) Why the extreme bumpy leaf surface on such a reasonably non-succulent feeling leaf?
I asked for answers and I got one from SD who says, "Anyway: trichomes (hairs) definitely modified epidermal cells. Function,: many used to trap bugs that might otherwise be predators (are the hairs sticky?). Bumpy leaves, well it would increase the area for photosynthesis without shading out the lower leaves. No need for a mesophyte to have smooth leaves. If low in the canopy (if an epiphyte), or if on the ground then increasing the surface area would be beneficial for improving photosynthesis; also may provide more structural strength."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply!