Gloxinia perennis
Gloxinia perennis is a tropical, rhizomatous flowering plant in the Gesneriaceae family. It grows from scaly underground rhizomes and can reach about 60–120 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, smooth, and veined.
The plant bears showy, bell-shaped, nodding flowers that are pale purple or violet-lavender, mint-scented, and about 4 cm long. The flowering stem is raceme-like. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall. Fruits are capsules containing many tiny seeds.
Common name Canterbury bells is sometimes used for this plant, but it should not be confused with Campanula Canterbury bells.
Gloxinia perennis ranges through Central and South America—from Costa Rica to Colombia, Brazil, and Peru—mainly in the Andes. It has likely escaped from cultivation in Central America and the West Indies; its exact native range is unknown.
Habitat includes shady, humid places in forests, on rocks, and along riverbanks.
Taxonomy note: The genus honors Benjamin Peter Gloxin; the species name perennis means perennial, distinguishing it from the annual Martynia annua. It was originally placed in Martynia.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:06 (CET).