These amusing little creatures are Calceolaria uniflora - Darwin's Slipper Flower! Discovered by Charles Darwin in his voyage around South America, they almost look like little orange penguins marching over the rocks. This is a cool-climate species that probably won't thrive in warm areas. If you can provide the right conditions, it's a delightful collector's plant. This a very hard to find species.

Calceolaria uniflora (= C. darwinii) is distantly related to Foxglove and Gesneriads. The genus name Calceolaria means "little shoe", referring to the slipper-shaped flowers. The unusual, pouch-like blooms are about 2" tall and are suspended from 4-5" tall stems. They have a white band across the open "mouth", with burgundy markings above and below it. These unique flowers appear in the summer. This is an evergreen, perennial species that makes a rosette of small, tongue-shaped leaves.

The plant comes from the southernmost tip of South America, not far from Antarctica. The climate there is cool all year. I recommend growing it at temperatures between 30 and 70 degrees F (-1 to 21°C). I have no information on how it will fare outside that temperature range. It grows well in a small pot in rich, well-draining soil, such as half potting soil and half sand. The plants have a shallow root system and should be kept from drying out. Consistent watering is best. It prefers mostly sunny conditions, but give some protection from strong afternoon sun. Over about 40% humidity is recommended.

Germination tips for the seeds are here.

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