Streptocarpus cyaneus subsp. cyaneus flowers

The flowers of Streptocarpus cyaneus subsp. cyaneus grow in lax inflorescences of one to twelve flowers, mostly only five or six. The calyx is short, green and five-lobed, in picture flaring away from the corolla base.

The funnel-shaped to cylindrical corolla tube is straight, showing a bulge when viewed from the side. The corolla is two-lipped, the lobes unequal with rounded tips.

Flower colour is blue, mauve, rosy pink and rarely white. The specific (and subspecific) name, cyaneus, is derived from the Greek word kuanos meaning blue, referring to one of the flower colours.

There is a yellow stripe on the floor of the corolla base, as well as dark lines prolonged slightly further out and spreading, all serving as honeyguides testing insect map reading skills. The flower is from 3 cm to 6 cm long.

Flowering starts before midspring and continues through summer, sometimes into early autumn.

Streptocarpus seeds are generally very small and light, distributed by wind (Manning, 2009; Onderstall, 1984; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; Letty, 1962; http://pza.sanbi.org).