Sinningia speciosa

Read about Sinningia speciosa in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Sinningia speciosa, Benth. & Hook. (Gloxinia speciosa, Lodd. Ligeria speciosa, Decne.). St. short or not evident: lvs. oblong, petiolate, obtuse or acutish, villous-hairy, convex on top, usually attenuate at base, crenate: peduncles, with fls., about the length of the lvs.: fls. large, tubular, showy, usually violet or purplish; calyx-lobes ovate-lanceolate and somewhat villous, longer than calyx-tube; corolla broadly campanulate. Brazil. Variable, giving rise to such forms as var. caulescens, Hanst. (Gloxinia caulescens, Lindl.), with thick elongated st. and larger lvs. B.R. 1127. L.B.C. 16:1566. Var. macrophylla, Hanst. (Gloxinia speciosa var. macrophylla, Hook.), has large white-nerved lvs. B.M. 3934. Var. albiflora, Hanst. (Gloxinia speciosa var. albiflora, Hook.). White-fld. B.M. 3206. Var. rubra, Hanst. (Gloxinia rubra, Paxt.). Fls. beautiful red. P.M. 7:271. From this species, and perhaps from hybrid offspring, have descended the florists' gloxinias. To the historical discussion on pp. 1350 and 1351, Vol. III, may be added the following quotation from T. A. Sprague, G.C. III. 36, p. 88: "The turning-point in the history of our cultivated 'gloxinias,' however, was in 1845, when an erect and regular-flowered plant was raised by Mr. John Fyfe, gardener at Rothesay, Bute; this had a white corolla with a violet center, and five perfect stamens, instead of the four usual in Gesneriaceae. Unfortunately for the systematic botanist, no exact record of its parentage was made, though in Flore des Serres, t. 311, where it was figured three years later, Sinningia speciosa is stated to have been one of its parents." The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Sinningia speciosa
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Gesneriaceae Genus: Sinningia Species: S. speciosa
Binomial name
Sinningia speciosa Baill.

Sinningia speciosa, commonly known in the horticultural trade as Gloxinia, is a tuberous member of the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae. The common name has persisted since its original introduction to cultivation from Brazil in 1817 as Gloxinia speciosa. The name Florist's gloxinia is sometimes used to distinguish it from the rhizomatous species now included in the genus Gloxinia. The plants produce large, velvety, brightly colored flowers and are popular houseplants. Cultural requirements are similar to those of African Violets except that S. speciosa generally requires more light and often has a dormant period, when the tuber should be kept cool and dry until it resprouts.