Streptocarpus can be difficult to identify, but this species is unique in many ways. Most striking is the abundance of small white flowers in mid-winter when no other Streptocarpus species are in flower. Even when not in flower the plant is easy to recognize with its long, narrow and stiff, almost succulent leaves. The species name kentaniensis refers to the village of Kentani in Eastern Cape, where it was first collected. The distribution of this species is limited to the area around Kentani and the Kei River mouth in the former Transkei. In the forests, Streptocarpus kentaniensis grows naturally on south-facing rock walls with its roots wedged into crevices or on rock ledges, usually in association with other plants like Crassula, Sansevieria, Dietes and Peperomia.

The long, narrow leaves are arranged in a very neat rosette, with the new leaves growing from the centre. On the underside, the midrib is very thick and prominent, while the smaller lateral veins form an intricate web as they run to the edge. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and contrasts beautifully with the dark reddish brown flowering stems that shoot from the midrib at the base of the older leaves. Every leaf has 3 to 5 flowering stems developing in succession. One leaf could have an old stem with seed capsules, a stem with flowers almost finished, a stem with flowers and buds while two more stems are developing in front of the older stems.

The flowering stems are about 10-15 cm long with the tips drooping while the flowers are still in bud. The flowering stems often branch to form a few flowers on each stem. The leaves, flowering stems and flowers are covered in short, white hairs. The individual flowers are small but very pretty. The flower is bi-coloured with a long, mauve tube which opens into five, rounded, white petals, two at the top and three at the bottom. Looking down the throat of the tube one can see dark mauve lines and a light yellow line running along the floor.

Compared to the size of the flowers (2-2.5 cm wide by 2.5-3 cm long), the seed capsules are very long (6-7 cm). Typical for Streptocarpus the seed capsule is twisted, unfolding and opening as it dries to release the very fine seeds when ripe. This characteristic gives the genus its name, from the Greek streptos meaning twisted, and karpos fruit.

Growing Streptocarpus kentaniensis

Streptocarpus kentaniensis makes a lovely small pot plant, suitable for a shady place in the garden and for indoors. A warm spot with plenty of light but no direct sun is ideal for growing the plants. It is very important that all Streptocarpus are potted in a well-drained medium and not over-watered. Rather let the potting mix dry before giving the next watering, as the plants will wilt and rot with over-watering. When the plants are stressed by drought or cold during the winter, the tips of the leaves will sometimes turn brown and dry. The dead tips may look a bit untidy but do not harm the plant, they leaves will continue to grow from the base.

Streptocarpus kentaniensis is easy to multiply simply by dividing a group, carefully separating a few leaves or an individual leaf with its roots attached and repotting it. Streptocarpus can also be propagated from seed or leaf cuttings. Thousands of fine brown seeds are released a month or two after flowering. The seeds usually germinate quite easily and fast when sown on a fine potting mix that is kept moist and warm. The seedlings can be potted when they are large enough to handle. The leaf cuttings are made by cutting the leaf across the midrib, dipping the cut edge into rooting hormone and then placing it into a well-drained medium, like clean sand. New roots will form at the cut edge, followed by new leaves. The potting medium for growing strong and healthy Streptocarpus is very important. At Kirstenbosch we use well-decomposed compost with a small amount of slow release fertilizer added.

Streptocarpus belongs to the same family (Gesneriaceae) as the well known African violets that are grown as pot plants all over the world. While the African violets or Saintpaulia species occur naturally in Tanzania close to the equator, most of the Streptocarpus species are found in southern Africa. In Africa there are about 135 species of Streptocarpus of which 51 species occur in South Africa.

Reference
OM Hilliard, BL Burt ; 1971; Streptocarpus, An African Plant Study, University of Natal Press.

Liesl van der Walt
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
July 2002