please help identify this plant from a cutting

[rootcause]

Hello!* I received a cutting a while back but didn't get a chance to learn the name of the plant, so I'm asking you all for help.* The major stem looks like the attached picture (there are secondary stems growing out from the base).* The leaves are approximately 2 cm (a bit shorter than 1 inch) long.* The stem is brown near the soil, but green near the growth region at the tips.* Interestingly, there are flowers on this (there weren't when I first received the cutting, nor for the first year or so).* The flowers are orange and are shaped oddly - there is a tiny opening at the tip, but the bulb is otherwise closed.* I'm curious to know the reason for the shape of the flowers (to keep out insects above a certain size?) in addition to knowing what the plant actually is.


Finally, I'm a bit concerned about the plant - some of the leaves have started turning yellowish/brownish in splotches near the soil.* I tried both delaying watering and watering more frequently, keeping in the sun and away, without much success.*

Thanks for all your assistance! :)

[Newt]

Hi Rootcause,

You have a goldfish plant aka Nematanthus gregarius.* I've also seen it referred to as Nemathanthus glabra.* You don't say where you live and if you are growing this indoors or outdoors, but this is a tropical plant and won't grow outdoors in zones colder then 10 as it's frost tender.* I used to grow it as a houseplant in a hanging basket and found it drops alot of leaves and was just too messy for me.* The flowers are charming though.* It likes to dry between waterings and does best in a slightly shaded aspect or bright filtered light.* I did have mine in a west facing window and that may be why it shed it's leaves so much as it might have been too much sun.* It will need some sun to flower.*

Not to worry about it flowering yet as it will need a well developed root system to flower.* I think the shape of the flower is because it is visited by ants.* Here's some info on Nematanthus.* Do scroll down to pics of the different species.
http://www.gesneriads.ca/genemcod.htm

For more pictures or info you can do a google and even click on 'Images'.

Newt

[rootcause]

Thanks, Newt.* I think the identification is right on after searching a bit for similar images.* I've added mana to your username (I hope that's considered a desirable thing).

I think I'm in zones 5-6, but have kept the plant indoors ever since I got it.* I think that once I left it on the windowsill on a particularly cold night and shortly afterwards, the leaves started turning yellowish near the base, but at the moment there are some new growths so hopefully it's considered recovered.

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* And thank you for the mana and the compliment.* I'm still not sure what that's all about, but it appears to be a good thing.* :)*

Oh, and here's a handy zip code zone finder.
http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi

Newt