Nematanthus striatus

If I had no pictures of this easy to grow, super-rare, super-weird epiphyte, I would tell you that the flowers look exactly like an animated “Looney Toons” baby duckling that has just had an unfortunate experience with an “ACME” exploding joke cigar, but we DO have pictures, so you can interpret for yourself what you think these strange, 1” wide fuzzy, maroon & yellow flowers resemble! All this evergreen, succulent leaved, Brazilian gesneriad needs to thrive is freely draining soil of average richness, & part shade. It has shown exceptional cold tolerance here in USDA Zone 9 - we grow it with some protection next to other plants that withered when faced with 20 degree temperatures, but it didn’t flinch! It has been blooming on & off the whole year through, as well! In its native habitat, this species grows on the trunks of trees, but it would be equally happy in a pot. It has an upright, branching habit, 2’ wide, & 1.5’ tall, so a hanging basket isn’t necessary. Let the soil dry between waterings!

Claire Woods
Propagator