Tropicals & Tender Perennials: H. wayetii vs kentiana, 0 by markroy68

markroy68 wrote:
Joanne, my understanding is that H. kentiana, H. wayetii, and H. sp. aff. angustifolia are very closely related and visually similar but not the same. I know H. angustifolia is not a valid name for the plant we're talking about, and I believe there is some uncertainty about the name H. kentiana, but that's perhaps not the point here.
H. wayetii is a really attractive plant with thick leaves about 1/2" wide, concave on top with dark green or purplish margins on the leaf in bright light, and all pinkish-purple flowers. H. sp. aff. angustifolia is featured on the cover of David Liddles latest catalog, and appears to have more narrow leaves and a bright yellow corona center. H. kentiana I have never seen, but I believe the leaves are slightly different from the other two and the flowers are supposed to be all pinky-purple. I am guessing that it looks more like H. sp. aff. angustifolia than like H. wayetii, form the written descriptions I have seen. The leaves of all three of these will vary in size and porportion according to cultural conditions.
The picture is of H. wayetii, which has nice compact growth with short internodes. The leaf margins are more purple for me in summer.