Chirita subrhomboidea

Photo by Ron Myhr
Grown by Ron Myhr

Although a period of cold semi-dormancy is typical of its natural habitat, this plant was grown on a sunny east windowsill, blooming in mid-winter.  Under the more natural conditions, spring can bring an incredible flush of bloom.  A closeup of a flower on the plant illustrates its elegant proportions and interesting color combinations, as does a flower cluster shown here.

There is a possibility that this particular plant is a natural or artificial hybrid -- it does not readily produce seed, and differs somewhat from other photos we've seen of this species (e.g. the photo linked to "flush of bloom" above.