Species Varieties ~IMPORTANT~
New classifications for the genus Saintpaulia (species) have been implemented. The AVSA has adopted a method of identifying the species by name, subspecies and clone. It reminds me of a scientific chart type designation. There are some stand-alone species with only a single plant or clone such as S. goetzeana. Some species such as S. shumensis are available in two types of plants or clones such as S. shumensis clone shumensis and S. shumensis clone Mather EE. The most complicated is S. ionantha (species number 5) that has been divided into 8 subspecies (designated a through h), two varieties and many clones. The correct way to identify a plant is to give the species number and the clone name. Here are the varieties that we carry using the new classification.
Collection:
3. S. shumensis
shumensis 1955 (B. Burtt) Single pale blue to almost white/variable darker eye, usually four per peduncle, sparse bloom. Bright green, pebbled, glossy, slightly serrated, short petiole, leaf blade twisted in some clones. Single crown, but tends to sucker easily. Miniature to semiminiature. Saintpaulia species
5. S. ionantha
5a. Subspecies grandifolia
grandifolia #237 1958 (B. Burtt) Single blue-violet, one or more per peduncle, floriferous. Light green, elliptical, very thin, long flexible petiole. Usually single crown. Large
S. grandifolia #299 1958 (B. Burtt) Single dark blue-violet, one or more per peduncle, very floriferous. Light to medium green, elliptical, very thin, crinkled, long flexible petiole. Usually single crown. Large.
5b. Subspecies grotei
confusa 1958 (B. Burtt) Single dark purple, 2-6 per peduncle. Variable floriferousness. Medium green, thin, quilted, leathery, flexible, serrated/near-white back. Often multi-crowned. May develop sideways growth habit. Semiminiature to standard.
grotei 1921 (A. Engler) Single, light-medium blue/variable darker eye, 2-3 per peduncle. Flowers may hide under foliage. Pale-dark green, variable texture, round, serrated on most clones. Usually near-white back, occasionally red. Green or brown flexible petiole, variable internode length. Large trailer.
grotei "Mather"
magungensis var. minima 1964 (B. Burtt) Single tiny light purple/darker eye, 1-2 per peduncle, rarely blooms. Medium, small, cupped-down, thin, hairy, serrated, red-brown petiole. Miniature trailer.
*S. 5b clone confuse Uppsala 2005-0405
5c.subspecies ionantha
1. variety ionantha
House of Amani - Single medium lavender-blue, 3-7 per peduncle, hides under leaves, short-lived. Dark green, pointed, quilted, smooth, prominent veins, serrated/occasional red back, petiole. Usually single crown. Never declared a true species. Standard. Saintpaulia species
ionantha 1893 (H. Wendland) Single blue-violet, 4-5 per peduncle, very floriferous. Dark green, pointed, heart-shaped, tends to spoon, thick, quilted, glossy, slightly serrated, long red-brown petiole/red back. Large. Saintpaulia species
Sigi Falls - Single variable blue-violet, 2-4 per peduncle, medium to difficult to bloom. Dull green, tends to look mottled, longifolia, may spoon, thick, tough, very hairy, varies in size/purple-red back. Multi-crowned. Never declared a true species. Large standard to bushy trailer.
tongwensis 1947 (B. Burtt) Single pale blue, may show dark pinwheel marking when grown cool; 4-6 per peduncle, very floriferous. Dark green, pointed, narrow, very thick, hairy, slightly serrated/some red back. May appear variegated with mottled pattern over main veins. Usually upright single crown, rarely suckers. Standard.
2. variety diplotricha
diplotricha Parker Single pale lilac/bright yellow stamens; seven per peduncle. Dark green, pointed, thick, serrated. Single crown, may sucker. Small standard. Saintpaulia species
diplotricha Punter #0
5f. subspecies orbicularis
orbicularis var. purpurea 1964 (B. Burtt) Single small dark purple, 5-8 per peduncle, very floriferous. Dark green, round to heart-shaped, thin, glossy/light back. Single or multiple crown. Standard. Saintpaulia species
5g. subspecies pendula
intermedia- 1958 (B. Burtt) Single medium blue, 5-7 per peduncle, sparse. Olive green, small, round, tends to spoon, velvety, slightly serrated/purple-red back, prominent green veins. Single crown to trailing. Small standard or trailer. Saintpaulia species
S. pendula var. kizarae 3397 -1964 (B. Burtt) Single lavender, 2- 4 per peduncle, floriferous. Light green, round, hairy, serrated. Trailer. Saintpaulia species
S, pendula var "ST Iverson"
5h. subspecies velutina
velutina 1958 (B. Burtt) Single small medium violet/darker eye, some white tips. Five per peduncle, floriferous. Black-green, round to heart-shaped, may cup up or down, thin, hairy, velvety, pronounced veining, serrated/red-purple back.
velutina lite - Semidouble white flowers tinged with blue, foliage is very unusual. Leaves are crinkled and look like a pepperomia leaf. Velvety dark green.
6. S. brevipilosa
brevipilosa 1964 (B. Burtt) Single light purple/darker center; 1-4 per peduncle, very short lived. Light green, small, round, thin, glossy, soft, velvety, tightly bunched/pale back; randomly curved petioles. Usually single crown. Miniature to semiminiature to small standard. Saintpaulia species
7. S. nitida
nitida 1958 (B. Burtt) Single dark blue-purple, 8-10 per peduncle, floriferous. Dark green, round, may spoon, smooth, glossy, slender brown petiole/red back. Open growth. Small or bushy trailer or multi-crowned standard. Saintpaulia species
8. S. rupicola
rupicola 1964 (B. Burtt) Single light-medium blue, three or more per peduncle. Light-medium green, heart-shaped, soft, smooth, glossy, velvety/light back. Leaves sometimes thick. Multi-crowned standard or bushy trailer. Saintpaulia species
Cha Simba
*S. 8 clone Kacharonoroni - Single pale blue to mauve, 4-8 per peduncle. Leaves oval, slightly fleshy, medium green above, pale green to whitish beneath, edges smooth or shallowly wavy, upper surface with short erect hairs. Standard rosette, may grow with multiple crowns. Saintpaulia species