Gasteranthus bilsaensis, a Gesneriad native to Ecuador, is classified by the IUCN Red List as Endangered (last accessed in 2004). Of the 35 species of Gasteranthus described, nearly half are considered threatened or endangered. This species seems to be slower growing and can be a bit temperamental. It prefers good ventilation and drainage, and gets to be at least 18″ tall growing on akadama. In peat and sphagnum, it doesn’t seem to get quite as large. Flowers are bright orange and have a similar balloon shape as Pearcea, but are not so inflated looking.
