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THE AFRICAN VIOLET
THE AFRICAN VIOLET
| THE AFRICAN VIOLET |
 African violets are low, compact plants with attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves.African violets were first discovered in 1892 in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. They were referred to as African Violets because the flower of the wild species looked much like the common sweet garden violet (Violaceae family). Here the similarity ends because the African Violet, or as it is known botanically, Santapaulia (named after its finder), belongs to the Gesneriaceae family of plants. The 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. Besides various shades of blue-violet, there are also pink, fuschia, and white cultivars (varieties). Newer violets include not only cultivars with single flowers, but also those with semi-double or double rows of petals. Bi-colored flowers and those with a contrasting border are popular. Trailing cultivars and miniatures are also available. |