Streptocarpella caulescens

 Look at what interesting thing is blooming today!

This is Streptocarpella caulescens.

From Tanzania, this plant is a close relative to African violets. DNA studies show that of the Streptocarpus-type plants the Streptocarpellas are the ones quite closely related to African violets. Streptocarpellas have stems above ground and branching pairs or whorls of leaves and Streptocarpus do not have "true" stems but rather look as if the leaf comes right from the soil.

You will notice that unlike the Streptocarpella 'Concord Blue' many of us are familiar with the flowers of S. caulescens are shaped quite differently looking almost like some orchids.

Like all thing Gesneriad, even the flowers have hairs on the outer surface of them. Those are called trichomes.

Although I can't find the information right now, the pollinators for these must be interesting to be able to get under the smaller upper two petals of the flower and then bend at what looks like an almost right angle to get to the nectar.

Very cool plant.

Apparently it will grow on a windowsill like other Streptocarpella and is pretty easy. I killed the first one and now we will try #2. I just loved the dark, rich color of the flowers though. I hope I have more success with this one!
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