Name: Pearcea hypocyrtiflora (Hook.f.) Regel
Etymology:
The specific epithet hypocyrtiflora refers to the similarity of the flowers to those of the formerly used genus Hypocyrta. The name thus describes the characteristic flower shape.
Synonyms:
Gloxinia hypocyrtiflora Hook.f. (1867)
Isoloma hypocyrtiflorum (Hook.f.) N.E.Br. (1882)
Hypocyrta brevicalyx H.J.Veitch (1867)
Isoloma hypocyrtiflorum Benth. & Hook.f. (1876)
First description:
The species was first described in 1867 by Joseph Dalton Hooker as Gloxinia hypocyrtiflora. That same year, Eduard August von Regel placed it in the newly established genus Pearcea.
Origin / Distribution:
Pearcea hypocyrtiflora is endemic to Ecuador. It occurs mainly in the humid regions of the eastern Andes and the adjacent Amazonian foothills.
Location / Habitat:
The species grows predominantly terrestrially in humid tropical and subtropical forests, particularly in Amazonian and montane forest areas. It has been documented at elevations of approximately 250 to 1,000 m and prefers humus-rich, consistently slightly moist soils and high humidity.
Temperature:
About 18–26 °C is ideal. Temperatures below 15 °C should be avoided as much as possible. A consistently warm environment with high humidity promotes growth and flowering.
uDescription & Notes:
Pearcea hypocyrtiflora is a perennial herbaceous Gesneriad with hairy green leaves and distinctive, strikingly tubular to sac-shaped flowers. The flowers usually appear in the leaf axils and have a slightly curved corolla tube characteristic of the genus. The species is relatively rare in the wild and is considered potentially threatened according to current assessments. It is particularly suited to cultivation in warm, humid terrariums and greenhouses.