Streptocarpus molweniensis Seeds - Indigenous South African Endemic Perennial Houseplant

Streptocarpus molweniensis Seeds

Cape Primrose

A popular houseplant, Streptocarpus, is an Afrotropical genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to Afromontane biotopes from central, eastern and southern Africa, including Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. The flowers are five-petalled. In the wild, species can be found growing on shady rocky hillsides or cliffs, on the ground, in rock crevices, and almost anywhere the seed can germinate and grow. Although generally referred to simply as "Streptocarpus", or "Streps", the common name for subgenus Streptocarpus is Cape Primrose, referring to the nativity of several species to South Africa and their superficial resemblance to the unrelated genus Primula. The genus name Streptocarpus originates from the Greek words streptos, meaning twisted and carpus, meaning fruit, alluding to the general description of twisted seed capsules of these plants. Streptocarpus has approximately 51 species found in South Africa. Streptocarpus molweniensis, commonly known as Molweni streptocarpus, is a South African endemic species and a unifoliate (one leaf) streptocarpus, with a dark green, glossy leaf, reaching up to 250 mm across and 350 mm long. The upper side of the leaf feels slightly hairy when you rub your hand against it. The underside of the leaf is light green and sometimes reddish purple. Streptocarpus molweniensis occurs in Eskotene Kloof near the Molweni River, in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. It thrives in shade or dappled light, and in moist but very well-drained soils.