Houseplant mystery #999

October 24, 2011 3:01 PM

Yet another mystery houseplant... images inside.

I bought a pretty, unlabeled houseplant this weekend. When I asked the store clerk what it was, she gave me an answer which didn't make much sense after I got home and Googled it. So I'm turning to the hive for help.

Picture 1
Picture 2

Can you name that houseplant? Thanks.

posted by Currer Belfry to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

I'm going to guess based on the flower that it is some sort of Nematanthus. Although it doesn't look like any of the ones pictured.
posted by nprigoda at 3:41 PM on October 24, 2011

Nice plant. I've never seen this plant before, so I can't be sure, but from my little bit of searching, it looks to me like these pictures of Gloxinia sylvatica, maybe?
posted by onoclea at 3:59 PM on October 24, 2011

Or possibly a lipstick plant or some variety of Aeschynanthus?
posted by chatelaine at 4:52 PM on October 24, 2011

Best answer: It is Seemannia sylvatica (which is the new name of Gloxinia sylvatica). Every plant mentioned above is a Gesneriad, btw.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:40 PM on October 24, 2011

I vote lipstick plant.

(Not least because it is the sort of plant that often ends up in those "misc houseplant" assortments that get shipped out to stores.)
posted by ErikaB at 7:50 PM on October 24, 2011

Response by poster: I think oneirodynia has it. Thanks to everyone who responded.
posted by Currer Belfry at 5:11 PM on October 25, 2011