Streptocarpus bullatus is a very special species in more than one way. Between the veins, the leaf surface is buckled upwards which botanists refer to as ‘bullate’, hence its name. This gives the leaf surfaces the rough appearance that can be seen from the photographs. It spreads by means of underground rhizomes, which is not a common growth form in the genus. From these rhizomes a succession of simple shoots (petiolodes) grow to a length of up to 50-60 cm producing a succession of leaves and inflorescences. The flowers are pouch shaped, white and 6 to 12 mm long. They grow in spectacular masses on embankments in the Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania.
Streptocarpus bullatus
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