African violet (redirected from Saintpaulia ionantha)

African violet: see gesneria.

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African violet

Any plant of the genus Saintpaulia, of the gesneriad family, especially S. ionantha. African violets are native to high elevations in tropical eastern Africa. They are small, hairy, usually stemless herbaceous plants with crowded, long-stalked leaves. The violet, white, or pink flowers bloom most of the year. They are popular houseplants, and hundreds of varieties have been developed, including half-sized miniatures.

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African violet

any of several tropical African plants of the genus Saintpaulia, esp S. ionantha, cultivated as house plants, with violet, white, or pink flowers and hairy leaves: family Gesneriaceae

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African violet [′af·ri·kən ′vī·ə·lət]

(botany)

Saintpaulia ionantha.A flowering plant typical of the family Gesneriaceae.