Are African violets actually violets

African violets are the most popular of the continuously flowering houseplants. African violets are really not violets at all but members of the larger Gesneriad family, which includes gloxinias (Sinningia speciosa) and the lipstick plants (Aeschyanthus spp.).

Are African violets really violets?

African violets are the most popular of the continuously flowering houseplants. African violets are really not violets at all but members of the larger Gesneriad family, which includes gloxinias (Sinningia speciosa) and the lipstick plants (Aeschyanthus spp.).

What is so special about African violets?

African violets are perhaps the most popular flowering houseplants grown in the world today. There are many reasons for this: The plants generally flower the year round, giving an almost continuous display of blooms. They require the same temperatures humans find comfortable, making them easy to raise in our homes.

Do African violets really come from Africa?

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to rainforests in the mountains of eastern African countries like Tanzania. They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation.

Why are violets called violets?

Etymology. Violets all belong to the genus Viola of the Violaceae family. The word violet is derived from the Latin word viola, which means violet.

Why are African violets called African?

The African Violet, of the genus Saintpaulia, originates in eastern tropical Africa, in Tanzania and Kenya. … It received its common name of African violet as a result of the location in which it naturally grows, but also because the flower itself bears a striking resemblance to the true violet.

How do I identify African violets?

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha.) Leaves and stems are very pubescent. Leaves can be oval to heart-shaped with smooth or ruffled margins. Flowers are borne in single or double clusters, can have five or more petals, may be ruffled around the edges of the petals, and come in different shades and color combinations.

Do African violets exist in the wild?

There they were, finally: wild African violets, lovely examples of the ancestors of one of the world’s most popular houseplants. They grow naturally only in the coastal mountains and forests of East Africa, and I’d come a long way to see them.

Where do African violets originate from?

African violet, (genus Saintpaulia), genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae native to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa. African violets are common houseplants, especially Saintpaulia ionantha, and can thrive in low light conditions and bloom throughout the year.

Are gloxinia and African violets related?

These showy flowering houseplants are in the gesneriad family, just like African violets, and while they’re blooming, you can care for them the same way.

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Why do African violet leaves get limp?

Excessively dry or overly wet soil can result in African violet limp leaves. When the potting soil for African violets is too dry, the leaves wilt because they aren’t getting enough water, but African violet leaves also wilt when the soil is too wet. The roots need air as well as water, and soggy soil drowns roots.

Do African violets smell good?

One thing violets are known most for is the fact that they have a lovely scent that seems to go away after just one sniff. That’s because the flowers contain a chemical called ionine which desensitizes the nose and sense of smell temporarily.

Why do African violets sparkle?

Violet Sugar for the Holidays A bright light source makes the trait stand out more too. That’s why you’ll often notice the sparkle on plants in sunlight or under a bright spot light.

What is the difference between African violets and violets?

The main differences between African Violets and True violets are: … African violets have fleshy downy leaves and produce throughout the summer, five-petalled flowers, usually with a distinct eye while true violets have large to small heart shaped leaves, sometimes smooth, sometimes with varying degrees of hairiness.

Is purple different from violet?

Violet is closely associated with purple. In optics, violet is a spectral color (referring to the color of different single wavelengths of light), whereas purple is the color of various combinations of red and blue (or violet) light, some of which humans perceive as similar to violet.

Is a pansy a violet?

Pansies are but one member of the genus Viola, in turn part of the Violet family (Violaceae). We think of violets as herbaceous plants, which they indeed are in our part of the world, but a few are shrubs or small trees. Among the 25 genera comprising the Violet family, most are woody plants.

Are there different types of African violets?

African violets are available in a wide range of colors and types. You may choose from several hundred varieties depending upon the flower color, form and plant characteristics you prefer. Flower color varies from blue to violet, lavender, pink, red-violet, blue-violet, lavender-pink and white.

What are different types of African violets?

Single African Violet Flower Type.
Semi-Double African Violet Flower Type.
Double African Violet Flower Type.
Frilled African Violet Flower Type.
Fluted Petal African Violet Flower type.
Star African Violet Flower Shape.
Wasp African Violet Flower Shape.

How many types of African violets are there?

The African Violet Society of America, the largest group dedicated to a single plant type in the world, has more than 16,000 cultivars in their database. Some of these look virtually identical to one another, and there is much confusion on the different varieties.

Can you eat African violets?

NOT CONSIDERED EDIBLE: From the San Francisco Chronicle: “Though African violets are not known to be toxic, it is generally never a good idea to let a child [or pet] chow down on any houseplant, as individuals may have varying sensitivities to the plant’s sap or hairy leaves . . .

Should you remove dead flowers from African violets?

The plant produces leaves regularly, and this will help balance the appearance of the violet while allowing old leaves to make room for new. Remove spent flowers as they occur. This will help promote the growth of new blooms because the plant doesn’t have to direct any energy to old flowers.

Do African violets smell?

It’s true their flowers resemble, but only at a first glance, because even the flowers are different. Also, from their scent one can tell which is an African violet and which is a Parma violet because African violets are totally scentless.

Is African violet a begonia?

He named it ‘Pink African Violet’. The glossy green leaves grow in a rosette and the flowers are produced in the crown. This plant stays low and compact and makes a very nice terrarium subject. This is really an unusual begonia.

Is an African violet A Monocot?

Is it an Monocot or a Dicot? The African violet is a dicot based on the evidence of having 5 petals and by looking at the leaves you can see they net like veins.

What is the common name for African violet?

Saintpaulia ionantha, commonly called African violet, is one of the most satisfactory flowering houseplants. It is a low, compact plant with attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves. The violet-like flowers are borne in small panicles just above the foliage.

Are violets purple or blue?

Roses are red, violets are blue… actually, violets are closer to purple — but purple doesn’t rhyme with anything. The word violet can refer either to a purplish-blue color or to the tiny flower of that color. On the color spectrum, violet is a variation on purple that sits a bit closer to blue than red.

What does violet symbolize?

Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic.

How do I save Gloxinia?

To induce dormancy, gradually cut back on watering. When the foliage dies back, trim it off and place the pot in a cool (55 to 60 degree Fahrenheit), dark location. Let the gloxinia tuber rest for 2 to 3 months. When new growth appears, carefully remove the tuber from the old potting soil and repot in new material.

Is gloxinia a perennial?

gloxinia, (Sinningia speciosa), perennial flowering plant of the family Gesneriaceae. Gloxinias are native to Brazil and are now widely cultivated as garden and house plants.

How do you propagate Gloxinia?

Gloxinia is relatively easy to propagate. You can take leaf cuttings when the plant is actively growing and sprout them in damp sand or seed-starting soil. Alternatively, you can divide the tubers during repotting and repot tuber pieces into individual pots.