This cutie doesn't have a common name, so i named it Teacup Flower!  Jovellana punctata is an unusual rarity from Chile with colorful sprays of happy little flowers!  These sprightly blooms appear in large numbers from spring through autumn.  Their festive markings are purple, yellow and red, with no two flowers having the same pattern.  Maybe they communicate something to bumblebees?  Or to each other??  This is a cool-climate species that might not thrive in warm climates.  It is uncommon in cultivation, and fresh seeds are rarely seen for sale.

 Jovellana is an evergreen, perennial plant that grows around 5 feet tall, which puts the blooms at the perfect height for viewing.  Each flower spray has dozens of half-inch blooms, which open at different times over a period of 1 to 2 months.  The yellow markings on the blooms sometimes resemble faces, like a little Pokemon character.  The flower sprays would make an exotic addition to flower arrangements!  Even without blooms this is an attractive plant, with woody stems and bright, mint-shaped foliage.  The leaves have a great minty-spicy aroma when rubbed!

The Teacup Flower comes from cool areas of central Chile, where the climate is mild all year.  The ideal temperature for it seems to be between 40 and 80 degrees F (4-27 degrees C), with cool nights.  I don't know if it will thrive in temperatures consistently above 85 degrees F (29 C), particularly if nights are warm.  It can probably survive a few degrees of frost if given overhead protection, but i recommend protecting it from all frost.  Teacup Flower grows well indoors in a pot.  It prefers partly sunny conditions.  It should be shaded from strong afternoon sun.  It likes well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist.  Over about 40% humidity is recommended.

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Germination tips for this plant