That's a mutant flower on a columnea. There is one that makes these on a regular basis called 'Starburst'. It is described as being yellow so that may be what you have. If it consistantly makes flowers like this with only the occasional normal flower then that is probably what you have. (Ha!) Luckily I found my columnea register and looked these up. So, I discovered that 'Alpha' also is described as making peloric flowers, which is what you have in the photo. It also makes regular yellow flowers that flare open a bit and are clear pale yellow.

A peloric flower is one that comes out completely symetrical. The Florist Gloxinia is a peloric flower though the original species are slipper shaped. It is a mutation that can be bred into hybrids. I think that with African Violets peloria is seen in the star shaped flowers while the pansy shape is the normal form.

Jon ( so I suspect that you have 'Alpha', just to be clear....

Jon:

Thanks for the information. I was worried that while it looked like a duck and quacked like a duck it might not be one. :-)

I need to find two or three more 'Alpha' to fill up the pot. This one was bought as a small cutting.

Linda

That's really neat, Linda. I haven't seen those before. (The little glimpse of Chirita behind it looks great, too!)