Saintpaulia

Saintpaulias, which grow from 6–15 cm tall, 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 have a fleshy texture. The flowers are 2–3 cm in diameter, with a five-lobed velvety corolla ("petals"), and grow in clusters of 3–10 or more on slender stalks called peduncles. Wild species can have violet, purple, pale blue, or white flowers.[2]

The plants get their common name "African violet" from their superficial resemblance to true violets (Viola, family Violaceae).

The section was initially regarded as a separate genus. Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire (1860–1940) was the district commissioner of Tanga province when he discovered the plant in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in Africa in 1892 and sent seeds back to his father, an amateur botanist in Germany. The genus was named for Saint Paul-Illaire and his father.[3] Two British plant enthusiasts, Sir John Kirk and the Reverend W.E. Taylor, had earlier collected and submitted specimens to the 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 scientifically described by H. Wendland in 1893.[4]

Revisions of the genus by B.L. Burtt expanded the genus to approximately 20 species. Following studies which showed most of the species to be very poorly differentiated, both genetically and morphologically, the number of species was reduced to six in a 2006 treatment, with the majority of former species reduced to subspecies under S. ionantha.[5] In 2009, 9 species, 8 subspecies, and 2 varieties were recognized.[6]

A molecular phylogenetic study in 2015 confirmed previous studies showing that species placed in Saintpaulia were deeply embedded within the genus Streptocarpus,[7] supporting the transfer of all Saintpaulia species to Streptocarpus in 2012.[8] Former Saintpaulia species did form a monophyletic group, and were placed in section Saintpaulia of Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella.[7]

Saintpaulias are native to eastern tropical Africa. There is a concentration of species in the Nguru mountains of Tanzania.

Cultivar 'Pink Amiss'

Saintpaulias are widely cultivated as house plants. Until recently, only a few of these species have been used in breeding programs for the hybrids available in the market; most available as house plants are cultivars derived from Streptocarpus ionanthus (syn. S. kewensis). A wider range of species is now being looked at as sources of genes to introduce into modern cultivars.

The African Violet Society of America is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for the section and its cultivars.

African violets have long been associated with mothers and motherhood. For this reason they have been a traditional gift to mothers in many cultures around the world. African violets are also associated with Easter and Valentine's Day.[14]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saintpaulia.

Wikispecies has information related to Saintpaulia

• African Violet Society of America website
• African Violet in Romania - Pasionata de violete africane
• African Violet Society of Canada website
• Swedish African Violet Society website
• Gesneriad Reference Web Saintpaulia article
• African Violet in Germany
• African Violet Thailand
• Baby Violets - African Violet Houseplants