Streptocarpus polyphyllus was named after its characteristic neat rosette consisting of many leaves, on the underside of which are thick veins. It occurs in the north of Madagascar, where is often grows on bare rocks under conditions of high moisture which is typical for Madagascar that has very wet seasons for a number of months in late summer. During the dry season the leaves become curled and crisp and grey in color, only to open out and become green again when it rains. This is a typical resurrection mechanism which is also found in Streptocarpus exsertus from the African mainland and other gesneriads such as the Pyrenean Ramonda myconi and Boea hygroscopica from Australia.
Streptocarpus polyphyllus
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