Are African violets and Saintpaulia the same plant?

Scientific name: Saintpaulia ionantha

Common name: African violet

Family and genus: Gesneriaceae, genus Saintpaulia

Type: evergreen herbaceous flowering plant

Morphological features:

The plant is short, usually 15-20 cm tall, the whole plant is tender and fleshy and densely covered with white down, with a very short aboveground stem.

The leaves grow flat in a whorl and form a rosette; the leaves are ovate, slightly pointed at the tip, about 6 cm long and about 5 cm wide, with entire margins.

The flower stalks emerge from the leaf axils; the flower stem is reddish brown; the flowers are solitary and terminal or alternately opposite, with a 5-lobed perianth forming a disc shape, flower diameter 3-4 cm, the lobes ovate; flower colors include deep violet, blue-violet, light red, white, red, etc., and there are both single and double forms, and some leaves have yellow markings on the surface.

The flowering period is very long, and it can bloom continuously in summer, autumn and winter.

Origin:

Native to tropical Africa, growing in warm, humid and shady places in tropical rainforests.

Growth habits:

African violets like a warm, humid and well-ventilated environment, and are not cold-tolerant or heat-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is 18-24°C. African violets like light; if the light is insufficient, they only grow leaves and do not bloom; but they also fear direct light, and if the light is too strong, yellow spots will appear on the leaf surface, so do not expose them to the sun.

The relative air humidity should be 50-80%. Placing the pot with the plant on a tray filled with water can increase the relative humidity. Do not spray water on the leaves, otherwise unsightly yellow spots will appear on the leaves. Do not pour water on the leaves either.

Soil watering is generally twice a week indoors. African violets require loose, fertile humus soil; the pot should be short and wide, and good drainage should be maintained.

During the growing season, fertilize once a week with a thin liquid fertilizer, and apply less nitrogen fertilizer during the flowering period.

African violets can be propagated by division or cuttings, and also by tissue culture. Cuttings generally use leaf cuttings; in May, insert leaves with 2-5 cm petioles into sandy soil, taking care to keep them moist; roots usually form in about 15 days.

Uses:

The African violet is one of the world's famous small potted flowers.

The plant is short and elegant, and the flowers are small and gorgeous. Placed on a windowsill or, after blooming, moved indoors for display on a desk or table, it is very elegant.