Episcia cupreata 'Frosty', Episcia reptans cv.? and erm... an Episcia.Flame violets, I presume, are named for their small fiery-hued flowers. Some species of Episcia delight with blooms of yellow, pink or even sky-blue. However, the genus is primarily popular for their attractive foliage. Hundreds of cultivars are available and identification is very confusing. After several painstaking searches through pages and pages of fancy names and close fits, I'd like to say (though surely just spitefully) that it's not like they come when you call. Interesting names include 'Pink Panther', 'Star of Bethlehem' and 'Blue Heaven'.
Despite the confusing identities, I love Flame violets. One of the first plants I have grown, Flame violets boast an impressive array of foliage colours. Most of the commonly cultivated Flame violets are cultivars of Episcia cupreata or Episcia reptans. 'Cupreata' comes from the old name of copper, Cuprum (Cu), refering to the unique foliage colour. Reptans... I don't know what 'reptans' means. 'Spreading'?
Stolons are the little plantlets produced on shoots extended from an Episcia. The stolons reach out in search of moist soil and upon contact with a suitable medium, they root and takeoff. This plant started out that way. Again, regrettably, I cannot provide a proper name for this old cultivar. Let's call it John. So John was given to me by my Aunt as a little stolon severed from its mother plant. It has made many stolons since.I grow my Episcia in coarse mediums and it's okay to let the medium dry till slightly moist. They have shallow roots so a shallow pan works great. Some will even grow over rock on a layer of sphagnum moss. Do not over-water and DO NOT grow in soggy muck - they will rot away like black magic.
Many Episcia are definitely Fit for Shade. Some grow luxuriously in dim light, just like er... John. Maybe I'll have a go at identifying it. I suspect, though I'm very unsure, that John's real name could be Episcia 'Chocolate Warrior'. I may never know.
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