Dyschoriste thunbergiiflora

Dyschoriste thunbergiiflora or purple bells is an evergreen shrub not indigenous in South Africa but found in East Africa, particularly known in Kenya. The species belongs in the Acanthaceae family and is widely grown as a garden plant, also in South Africa. This plant was photographed in Kirstenbosch. In nature it is mainly found in open bush and riverine grassland.

The leaves are obovate, obtuse and attenuating at the base. The plant produces lush foliage when receiving ample water, although it survives with less. Up to four flowers may appear per axillary cyme. The corolla tube opens into five light blue or purplish lobes, the bottom one of which is marked with dark blue spots and lines in the throat. Some markings are also present inside the tube on the adjacent two. The flowers attract butterflies (Blundell, 1987; iNaturalist; www.growwild.co.za).