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These amusing little creatures are Calceolaria uniflora - Darwin's Slipper Flower! Discovered by Charles Darwin in his voyage around South America, these unique flowers 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 that is rarely seen for sale.
Calceolaria uniflora (= C. darwinii) is distantly related to Foxglove and Gesneriads. This is an evergreen, perennial species that makes a rosette of small, tongue-shaped leaves. The leaves are shaped to funnel water toward the center of the plant. The genus name Calceolaria means "little shoe", referring to the slipper-shaped blooms. These unusual flowers appear throughout the summer. The pouch-like blooms are about 2 inches tall, and are suspended from 4-5 inch tall stems. They have a white band across the open "mouth", with burgundy markings above and below it. A local species of bird likes to eat the white part - and it pollinates the flower in the process!
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 or 75 degrees F (-1 to 23°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.
Photos by Thomas Mathis, Steve Cook, and Jeronimo
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