Greek aischyno — to be ashamed and anthos — flower, referring to the ‘blushing’ red flowers.
Perennial herbs and subshrubs, often epiphytic or climbing. Leaves opposite, unequal, occasionally in false whorls, mostly fleshy and elliptic. Flowers axillary or terminal, solitary or in clusters, pendulous, fragrant, anthers clearly developing before the stigma; tube more or less funnel-shaped, 2-lipped. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs and with 1 sterile stamen. Fruit a linear 2-valved capsule.
Most species are epiphytes in nature and in the garden they are generally grown in hanging baskets or attached to structures of various kinds; they flower in mid-summer. Only the more commonly cultivated species are described here, others may be encountered.
Semi-hardened cuttings, layering or, less frequently, by fresh seed.
Similar to Columnea but less formal and with larger leaves; flowers generally in terminal clusters.
About 100 species from Indomalaysia.
Dates (1990).
Source: (2002). Gesneriaceae. In: . 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.
Cultivars of uncertain parentage
Leaves mottled green above, purple below, the flowers green at the base and orange at the tips, long-flowering.
The variability of plants available under this name suggests the name Black Pagoda Group may be more appropriate.
Other cultivars listed include A. 'Firecracker', A. 'Fireworks', and A. 'Flamethrower'.
