Hairy-stemmed shrub. Leaves to 7 cm long, 2.5 cm wide in whorls of 3 or 4, ovatelanceolate to oblong, toothed and with red markings below. Flowers solitary, the tube to about 6 cm long, bluish violet, maroon or white.

Mexico to Panama

This species is the source of a number of cultivars.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Gesneriaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.