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Saintpaulia is a genus of 20 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae, native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa, with a concentration of species in the Nguru mountains of Tanzania. The genus is most closely related to Streptocarpus, with recent phylogenetic studies suggesting it has evolved directly from subgenus Streptocarpella. Common names include Saintpaulia, African-violet or African Violet, the latter somewhat confusing name given due to its superficial resemblance to true violets (Viola, family Violaceae).
The genus is named after Baron Walter von Saint Paul Illaire, the district commissioner of Tanga province who discovered the plant in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in Africa in 1892 and sent seeds back to his father, an amateur botanist in Germany. Two British plant enthusiasts, Sir John Kirk and Reverend W.E. Taylor, had earlier collected and submitted specimens to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1884 and 1887 respectively, but the quality of specimens was insufficient to permit scientific description at that time. The genus Saintpaulia, and original species S. ionantha, were officially described by J.C. Wendland in 1893.
Saintpaulias grow from 6-15 cm tall and can be anywhere from 6-30 cm wide. The leaves are rounded to oval, 2.5-8.5 cm long with a 2-10 cm petiole, finely hairy, and with a fleshy texture. The flowers are 2-3 cm diameter, with a five-lobed velvety corolla ("petals"), and grow in clusters of 3-10 or more on slender stalks (peduncles). Flower colour in the wild species varies between violet, purple, pale blue and white.
More on [ Saintpaulia ]
SIMPLY THE BEST: Saintpaulia, African Violet for Halloween http://bit.ly/4fsJKF
ionxchange (Howard Bright) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:26:41 -0000
SIMPLY THE BEST: Saintpaulia, African Violet for Halloween http://bit.ly/4fsJKF
African Violet Photo Archive - Collection of photos of named varieties, presented alphabetically and by color. Source attribution and link provided with each photo.
Aggie Horticulture: African Violets - Proposed site covering many aspects of African violets. Currently, mostly links to other resources.
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Air Academy High School - Cloning African Violets - Consists of a classroom propagation article written by a teacher that emphasizes sterile techniques by tissue culture to generate an unlimited number of identical plants possessing a desired trait.
Angie's Violets - Photo galleries of Apaches, Wranglers, and several other varieties, from a hobby grower of African violets.
Carol's African Violets - Hobby grower lists African miniviolets and other gesneriads she has grown over the years, with photos and care tips.
How to Grow Perfect African Violets - Offers step-by-step advice for novice growers. Topics include potting, rooting, light, humidity and watering.
Meta Description: [ Shows you how to grow perfect African violets, using easy-to-understand graphics ]
Jimmie's Painted Ladies - Kansas enthusiast presents plant list, soil recipes, tips on watering and plant grooming, a list of suppliers, and information about the Wichita African Violet Study Club.
Meta Description: [ African Violet main page for Jimmie's Painted Ladies with links to
several pages dealing with all aspects of African Violet care and maintenance ]
Marjorie's Photo Albums - Enthusiast and exhibitor in Texas presents extensive photo albums showing many individual plants and convention pictures, and illustrations of cultivation and propagation methods and equipment.
Metro Garden African Violets - Information about care and culture, propagation, hybridizing, pests and diseases for these popular houseplants. Includes extensive photo gallery, and links to related sites.
Meta Description: [ Indoor gardening tips and growing information. ]
The Saintpaulia Webring - Hub for a webring interconnecting websites and pages devoted to African violets, including both commercial and hobby sites.
Meta Description: [ This webring is for websites and webpages devoted to African violets (genus Saintpaulia). African violets are gesneriads (i.e. members of the Gesneriaceae plant family) and they are related to plants ]
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