Goldfish Plant – Columnea microphylla

Common Name: Goldfish Plant

Botanical Name: Columnea microphylla, co-LUM-ne-a mi-kro-FIL-a

Decorative Life: As a foliage plant, months to years.

Flower Color: Red, White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

• Is a member of the Gesneriaceae (gesneria family) with common relatives such as cape-primrose, African violet, Episcia, Achimenes and gloxinia.
• Native to Costa Rica.

• Stems falling, covered with soft, rusty colored hairs. Leaves small, up to 0.5 inche, in pairs. Flowers solitary, to 3 inches, often red, white, sometimes with yellow blotches. However, more grown for its foliage.

Most likely chill sensitive, hold at 55F or above.

• Named for Fabio Colonna, 1567-1640, author of the first botanical book with copperplate illustrations.
• Because of its growth habit, best grown in a hanging basket type setting.

Rosie writes that a good source of infomation can be found at www.robsviolet.com.