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silly question

16 years ago

what are the differences between a goldfish plant and a lipstick plant?

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Comments (6)

zubababy
16 years ago
they're both from the same family Gesneriaceae
different genus
goldfish -Nematanthus
lipstick -Aeschynanthus
to me they look very similar
when i went looking for my lipstick plant, i actually found 3 different cultivars of the lipstick plant...i'm sure there are more than that.
greenelbows1
16 years ago
Well, it's not so much a silly question as silly names (if people who use them will forgive me!) The thing is, some people call one thing by one name, and some call something else by the same name. There are a couple aeschynanthus species and varieties, mainly A. radicans I think, that really look like a lipstick in a tube, and the lipstick rolls slowly up the tube (the calyx) until it comes out, but then it blooms and it really doesn't anymore, and most the aeschynanthus species and varieties don't look that much like lipstick, so it's really easier, once you get over the horrors of that name (Aeschynanthus) you won't think twice about using it. And usually 'goldfish plant' is applied to some of the nematanthus varieties that kinda look like little pucker-mouthed fish--but some people use that name for other things, and it can get quite confusing. I think sometimes they even call some of the columneas by those names. It's really easier to grit your teeth and learn the botanical names in the long run--of course, then the taxonomists will come along and change them! But people will know what you're talking about even if they bring back tricantha and pentadenia! Was that any help at all?
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sasha_one56
Original Author
16 years ago
yes that was! i kinda figured that they were related just by looking at it...there's just so many plants that are mislabled anymore...like the thanksgiving and christmas cactuses. you can make those bloom whenever if you put them in the dar, but the actual leaves just look different or at least thats what i've been told? i don't care what they are called, i just want to make sure that they are gettting the right care( i murdered my last goldfish plant)and sometimes thats hard with all the darn name confusion. thank goodness for gardenweb!
rjm710
16 years ago
Let's not forget Columnea, another epiphytic plant in the Gesneriad family. The common name "Goldfish Plant" is also used for Columnea, and Nematanthus are also called "Guppy Plant". If you buy a "Lipstick Plant" from a big box store, it could be any of the 3 genera mentioned, despite what is on the tag. Feel free to post pictures in the Gesneriad forum to confirm the proper name.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gesneriad Forum
sasha_one56
Original Author
16 years ago
awww well thanks! i had a 'goldfish' plant...that i murdered. unfortunately it was one of those slow, painful deaths, too. i was wanting to try, try again and maybe get both if i can find them. i need some more money first though!
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Sasha, it is important to know botanical names, but most people don't, including myself..lol..But the common names 'goldfish' and 'lipstick' pretty much describe each plants flower.. Goldfish/guppy have gold/yellow flowers which some ppl say resemble fish be it guppies or goldfish..lipstick plant flowers resemble tubes of lipstick from botton to top..it's uncanny.
After a while, botanical names will stick with you..spelling and pronouning are another story :) Toni

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