Two sites should be classed as high-priority for conservation–the Ulugura and Nguru Mountains, based upon DNA analyses of the genus Saintpaulia . Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [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. Noté /5. They are available in a many colours from white, through pink and red to purple and various flower types. While this level of humidity would be difficult to maintain in most homes, you should try to provide your African Violets with at least 50 to 60 percent humidity. Enthusiasts growers have actually seen them growing there, in the wild, either in the south, in Uzungwa Mountains National Park or up north, in Amani natural reserve in Usambara Mountains . Smithsonian World Checklist of the Gesneriaceae. The section was initially regarded as a separate genus. African violets that you buy are almost certainly hybrids, generally of one main species (Saintpaulia ionantha). Saintpaulia ionantha, Stromme E, 1985, p. 48–49. African violets are one of the easiest and most adaptable flowering houseplants to grow, as they do well in the conditions found in most homes. Their habitat resides in the understory of the tropical forests, where they are now being threatened due to the clear cutting of the land for agricultural uses. Modeling Inflorescence Development of the African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.). Streptocarpus sect. To date, there are 21 species, six variants, and two natural hybrids of African violets have been identified in the wild. Burkhardt, Lotte. Each species has its own specific habitat unique to East Africa. If you’re anything like me, you’ve killed at least one poor African violet in your lifetime due to neglect. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Several of the species and subspecies of the section are endangered, and many more are threatened, as their native cloud forest habitats are cleared for agriculture. vol. Such violets are endemic to the Usambara Mountains, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountain Range, a nonglaciated area with consistent climate. The native habitat of African Violets is the equatorial cloud forests of Tanzania and Kenya. Essentially, it thrives in typical rainforest conditions – hot and moist, yet well-drained and deeply shaded. National Geographic author Andrew Evans has written an eye-opening look at the delicate state of African violets in their native habitat, where unscrupulous gatherers are plucking rare species from the jungle to sell to collectors. ionantha. The little African violet, one of America's favorite flowering houseplants, is in big trouble in its native habitat. African Violet is native to Eastern Africa. Ten species were recognized, as of March 2020[update]. The members of … By the early 1900s, they were introduced to the rest of the world for cultivation. Burtt had expanded the genus to approximately 20 species. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/African-violet. African Violets - Saintpaulia General Information. Palisade Cells Induced by a Rapid Temperature Decrease", "Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha)", African Violet Society of America website, African Violet in Romania - Pasionata de violete africane, Gesneriad Reference Web Saintpaulia article, Baby Violets - African Violet Houseplants, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Streptocarpus_sect._Saintpaulia&oldid=987829878, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing potentially dated statements from March 2020, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 9 November 2020, at 14:04. It's a lot more humid there than it is in the average home! The African Violet Society of America is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for the section and its cultivars. 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. There are seven main cultural factors you should be aware of to ensure their success. Wild species can have violet, purple, pale blue, or white flowers.[2]. These dark green leaves have long petioles (leaf stems) and are arranged in a basal cluster at the base of the plant. S. kewensis). And one of the most common complaints about them is they never bloom once you get them home from the nursery. Hundreds of horticultural varieties have been developed for their various flower colours and shapes, including half-sized miniatures. African violets are still growing in the wild African cloud woods, although some of the species are endangered because their natural habitats are being cleared for agricultural use. The False African violet is a member of the true African violet family and is native to East Africa. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. [14], The African violet is a day-neutral plant regarding flower development. [3] Two British plant enthusiasts, Sir John Kirk and the Reverend W.E. 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. If you are wondering what is African Violet or want to know all About African Violet, then you are just at the right place. Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family Violaceae.It is the largest genus in the family, containing between 525 and 600 species. African violets do not grow naturally anywhere else in the world. For this reason they have been a traditional gift to mothers in many cultures around the world. The native habitat of an African Violet is the mountains of East Africa. Plants can be divided into smaller daughter plants or even grown from leaf cuttings. The common types of this plant are: Not Available. There is a concentration of species in the Nguru mountains of Tanzania. African Violets are native to eastern tropical Africa. 1994. [15][16], African violets have long been associated with mothers and motherhood. Many gardeners have them as outdoor plants but they’re typically kept indoors. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. African violets are easy to get your hands on, fun to grow, and bring a splash of color and cheer to your home. African violet, (genus Saintpaulia), any of the six species of flowering plants in the genus Saintpaulia (family Gesneriaceae). 119(4):727–734. Spilling cold water on African violet leaves causes discoloration. The violet-like flowers are bilaterally symmetric with five petals and can be violet, white, or pink in colour. Easily propagated from leaf cuttings, African violets are common indoor houseplants that can thrive in low light conditions and bloom throughout the year. In 1892, British colonists discovered African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) growing on moist, mossy rocks in their native Tanzanian habitat. [12], African violets are commonly propagated asexually. [8] Former Saintpaulia species did form a monophyletic group, and were placed in section Saintpaulia of Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella. Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs. The scientific name of African violets -- Saintpaulia -- reflects this German colonial past. With literally thousands of named varieties to choose from and new hybrid varieties being introduced each year, the connoisseur of African violets can have "billions of blossoms" year round. James E. Faust and Royal D. Heins, J. AMER. SOC. Many of the native plants are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss. African violets are native to Tanzania, where they were discovered in the late 1800s. The genus Saintpaulia, and original species S. ionantha, were scientifically described by H. Wendland in 1893. African violets are also associated with Easter and Valentine's Day. A wider range of species is now being looked at as sources of genes to introduce into modern cultivars. In: A. Halevy (ed.). There is a concentration of species in the Nguru mountains of Tanzania. Several species are endangered. HORT. 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. Several of the species and subspecies are endangered, and many more are threatened, due to clearance of their native cloud forest habitat for agriculture. [7][9], Formerly recognized Saintpaulia species and infraspecies are listed below with their accepted name in Streptocarpus.[9]. Achetez neuf ou d'occasion CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. International Cultivar Registration Authority, "The Great Merger – Current Taxonomic Status | Gesneriad Reference Web", "On African violets and Cape primroses—towards a monophyletic, "Sudden Collapse of Vacuoles in Saintpaulia sp. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. They are found growing in moist, mossy rock crevices where there is always high humidity, moderate temperatures between 65-80 degrees, and 12 hours of bright diffuse daylight year-round. It is more compact and diminutive than V. glabella, but with similar yellow flowers. [4], Revisions of the genus by B.L. African violets, which are generally shade-loving plants that thrive in moist wet areas, were first introduced to science in 1891 via some enthusiastic German nuns. African violets are not violets (family Violaceae, genus Viola) but are included in the family Gesneriaceae, genus Saintpaulia. [13] Growing African violets from seed is rare and most commercially available plants are produced from cuttings and tissue culture. Revisions of the genus by B.L. The genus was named for Saint Paul-Illaire and his father. African violets, formerly known by their botanical name Saintpaulia but now included within Streptocarpus , make attractive houseplants originating from tropical East Africa. Traductions en contexte de "african violet" en anglais-français avec Reverso Context : It is best to feed an African violet more frequently and at reduced strength. The section was previously treated as a separate genus, Saintpaulia, but molecular phylogenetic studies showed that it was nested within the genus Streptocarpus. The number of varieties of this plant is found to be 40000. Erweiterte Edition. Burtt expanded the genus to approximately 20 species. In their native habitat, in the Usambara Mountains of East Africa, the relative humidity is generally about 70 to 80 percent. Their native habitats are fog forests, which can be referred to as mossy or cloud forests, and they are characterized by frequent low-level cloud cover at … Saintpaulias are widely cultivated as house plants. © Steve | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 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. Plants can be classified as one of several sizes based on its above-ground diameter. These wild species vary in all aspects of growth habit and form, and flowers range in color from nearly white to dark purple. There are many types of African Violet. Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen. Most of the African violet sites are located in Tanzania. They produce delicate blue-violet and white flowers under optimal conditions. One solution would be growing some of the Saintpaulia (African violet) species, many of which will actually prefer your cool windowsill–it will remind them of their native habitat high in the mountains of East Africa. [7], All the species previously placed in the genus Saintpaulia are now placed in Streptocarpus section Saintpaulia. As the name implies, African violets are native to the cloud forests in the mountains of east Africa. In Colorado False African violets can be used as a potted plant or in a hanging basket. Also known as Saintpaulias, African Violets are beautiful perennial flowering plants that are native to Tanzania and the southeastern part of Kenya in eastern tropical Africa. The members of Saintpaulia are small perennial herbs with thick, hairy, ovate leaves. Growing multiple African violets in a large container mimics their native habitat – a rainforest floor of porous, loose, fertile soil. 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