Streptocarpus aka Cape Primrose

Streptocarpus, also known as Cape primrose or simply Streps, is an Afrotropical genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. Native to central, eastern, and southern Africa, including Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, these plants can be found in various biotopes such as shaded rocky hillsides, cliffs, and rock crevices. The flowers of Streptocarpus are five-petalled, salverform tubes, resembling orchids, and they hover or arch over the plant. The pointed, elongate fruit of Streptocarpus has a helical form similar to a narwhal's tusk. In the home, there are numerous hybrids available, offering a wide range of colors and forms. While the common name for subgenus Streptocarpus is Cape primrose, due to its resemblance to the unrelated Primula genus and the nativity of some species to South Africa, the common name for subgenus Streptocarpella is nodding violet. Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia, also known as African violet, is a separate section within Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella. Recent DNA studies have shown that African violets actually evolved from within the Tanzanian Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella, despite not having a twisted fruit. Some Asian species, such as Streptocarpus orientalis, have been reclassified as Damrongia orientalis as they are not true Streptocarpus. Cape primrose, a low-light indoor plant, bears beautiful orchid-like flowers with a resemblance to African violets. With hundreds of varieties and cultivars available, they come in different leaf and flower shapes, colors, and sizes. The cultivated species is a hybrid of wild plants from various regions in Africa. Known for its velvety leaves reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm) across, Cape primrose produces large, showy flowers ranging from double to semi-double, with dark blue petals and green, frilly margins. With proper care and deadheading of spent flowers, Cape primrose can bloom throughout the year.