STREPTOCARPUS PLANTS
Wow! Since I have been here, I have fallen completely for a certain genus of plant. It's called Streptocarpus, which means "Twisted Seed". Once the seed has germinated, it has a set of two cotyledons (Dicotyledon) or seed leaves and a tap root. As the plant matures only one of these cotyledons continue to grow and become the leaf while the other withers away. The plant then forms fibrous roots while the tap root withers away too. Therefore, you get a small plant consisting of a petiole (leaf stalk) and a leaf blade, no true leaves, really. The flowers are always spectacular, and are geared mainly (except for S.dunnii which may use birds for pollination.) to attract moths and mosquitoes for pollination in their dark, dank habitat. I have, so far, managed to find, photograph, identify and record six species of this magnificent plant on the Estate. Attached are photos of these. If, when the time is right, you would like to see some of these, give me a call and we will try to find them. It will, I guarantee you, require some serious adventuring because they live in deeeeeep, daaark places!!!
Streptocarpus cyaneus
Streptocarpus dunnii
Streptocarpus galpinii
Streptocarpus hilburtianus
Streptocarpus polyanthus comptonii
Streptocarpus wilmsii
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