Learn all about how African violets were discovered. Who discovered African violets and where they get their name from. African violets are named after Baron von Saint Paul. Where he discovered them and how they were named after him.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the description below. You’ll also see in the description below any links to videos I mentioned in this video.
Today, I am doing another installment of plant stories. This one is about one of my favorite plants, which is African violets, and I know they’re a favorite of many people. We have some nice mini ones here and a nice big traditional-sized African violet here.
When I’m tending my African violet collection, I often think about the discovery of these plants because it’s a very cool story. The year was 1892, and the location was a small territory in East Africa known at the time as Tanganjika. There was an amateur botanist by the name of Baron Vaughan Saint Paul, who served as an imperial district governor of the country. He is the one who discovered two of the plants that we now call African violets. So yes, they were originally discovered in East Africa, which is one of the reasons why they’re called African violets.
When I tend to my plants, I think about the day that he found them. He was apparently on a plant expedition when he set out to find them; he had no idea what he would find at the time. He was just on an expedition to find plants that could be propagated and brought home to where he was from, which was the UK.
He was walking along and found a couple of beautiful little plants that were flowering. These botanical jewels, apparently, he carefully took from where he found them and wrapped them up in a moist fabric of some sort. How he transported them isn’t clear, but he would have had to keep them moist with something.
He then sent the flowers and seeds of this plant to his father in Germany. His father, Baron Ulrich, was so taken with the delicate beauty of these flowers—who wouldn’t be?—that he gave them to his friend Hermann Wendland. Wendland happened to be the director of the Royal Botanic Garden, which is a great place for these to end up, and he was a famed botanist. He determined after studying them that they were from the Gesneriaceae family and gave these plants the botanical name Saintpaulia ionantha.
Basically, they’re named after the baron who discovered them, Saint Paul, and the Greek word “ionantha,” which means “resembling a violet.” So that’s how this whole naming came to be. It’s always interesting to find out how names come to be for plants and how they’re discovered as well.
As you know, this is one of the most popular flowering houseplants of all time. They are beautiful, and I have several videos on them, showcasing their colors and forms. They’re just gorgeous, and now they’re even more fun for you to grow knowing the story of the baron who discovered them.
I would have to say that the day he found the African violets was definitely a day of discovery for some very gorgeous and wonderful plants that we can now enjoy in many different forms, sizes, and colors in our indoor gardens.
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Frequently Asked Questions about African Violets
What are African violets and where do they originate?
African violets are popular flowering houseplants originally discovered in East Africa in 1892 by Baron Vaughan Saint Paul. They belong to the Gesneriaceae family and are known for their beautiful blooms.
Who discovered African violets?
Baron Vaughan Saint Paul, an amateur botanist and imperial district governor in East Africa, discovered African violets during a plant expedition in 1892.
How did African violets get their name?
The name “African violet” comes from the location where they were first discovered. The botanical name is *Saintpaulia ionantha*, named after Baron Saint Paul and the Greek word “ionantha,” meaning “resembling a violet.”
Are African violets easy to care for?
Yes, African violets are relatively easy to grow indoors. They are popular among houseplant enthusiasts due to their beautiful flowers and manageable care requirements.
What types of African violets are available?
African violets come in various forms, sizes, and colors, including miniatures and traditional-sized plants. They are known for their diverse and vibrant blooms.
How can I propagate African violets?
African violets can be propagated through leaf cuttings, which can develop roots and grow into new plants. This is a common method used by plant enthusiasts.
Where can I find more information on growing African violets?
For more tips on growing African violets, you can check out our videos and articles available on HealthyHouseplants.com.
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