Boea hygroscopica

Photo by Ron Myhr  
Grown by Maryjane Evans

These flowers are on a long pedicel, dangling down from the rosette-form plant.  I find it interesting how similar the flowers are to some Saintpaulia species, aside from the orientation and umbel-like form.  The whole plant can be seen here, and another plant here.  Shown at the 2002 AGGS Convention show.

In nature, this plant is capable of surviving considerable drought.  It shrivels up and appears almost dead, but recovers fully in the presence of moisture.  It's species name, hygroscopica, refers to this capability.