Aeschynanthus strigosus Gesneriaceae Don Mahoney, Strybing, San Francisco The gesneriad or African violet family has many representatives in Asia. The genus Aeschyananthus has many species that thrive in the Bay Area in a cool greenhouse or outdoors, if they are protected from frost. This species, like most, are ideal hanging basket specimens as they are trailers in nature. A. strigosus has 11/2 inch tubular red flowers in clusters of 6 or 8 at the ends of 2 or 3foot long hanging stems. It requires regular water and partial shade. .. Photo by Jill Salmon