Chrysothemis is a genus of 7 species in the family Gesneriaceae. Species are distributed throughout Central and South America. Plants are tuberous and can go dormant during the dry season. The flowers are nested inside a conspicuous sepal cup. Only 2 of the 7 species are common in cultivation. These plants can be propagated easily from seeds, stem cuttings, or division of tubers. They prefer moderate sunlight and dilute fertilizers during growth.
Chrysothemis friedrichsthaliana is native from Honduras south to Colombia and Ecuador. The species forms a tuber that allows it to go dormant during the dry season. It is one of two species in the genus that is most commonly cultivated. The photos below from Nhu Nguyen was taken in Panama where the plant grows in a crevice on the side of a building.
Chrysothemis pulchella has a very broad range of distribution from the Caribbean south to Brazil. It produces a tuber, which allows it to go dormant during the dry season. There are several forms in cultivation that often go under the name 'Copper Leaf', 'Bronze Leaf' or 'Black Flamingo'. All of these may refer to the same plant with darker leaves. The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen of a dark-leafed cultivar.
Chrysothemis pulchella 'Black Flamingo' photo below was taken by J. Scholfield.
