Streptocarpus silvaticus gets its name from its affinity for growing on logs and in trees (‘sylva’ (forest), and ‘-aticus’ (pertaining to)) although it also grows on earth embankments and cliff walls. It is perennial with up to 5 leaves (120 x 70 mm) medium green, up to 10-flowered, its keyhole shaped corolla is about 32 mm long, medium to pale violet with a yellow-green throat and two keels on the corolla floor.
Streptocarpus silvaticus grows at altitudes higher than 900 m above sea level in the inland of the northern parts of the Eastern Cape Province to as far north as Greytown in central KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. It is similar to Streptocarpus prolixus but their ranges do not overlap and they possess distinctive differences in their stigmas. This emphasizes that knowledge of the locality of a Streptocarpus collection is critical for its correct identification.
- A close view of the beautiful flower
- Plants with a flower
- A flower in profile, illustrating the bent tube
- A mossy tree trunk with several plants
- The flowers of a cultivated plant, showing the prominent “keels” to the left and right of the tube entrance
Note on flower colour – the mid to light violet colour is difficult to capture in low light conditions, as it is in general for digital cameras. The feature photo above probably comes close to an accurate representation. While flower colour may vary within and across populations, some of the variation seen here may be an artifact of photography