African Violets (genus Saintpaulia)

Many visitors will recognize African violets as the beautiful flowering plants that decorate the inside of people’s houses, particularly flower lovers from Europe and North America. Very few people know that these extraordinary houseplants originate in several mountains and coastal forests in eastern Tanzania and south-eastern Kenya. African violets, which are generally shade-loving plants that thrive in moist wet areas, were first introduced to science in 1891 via some enthusiastic German nuns. The District Commissioner of Tanga, Baron W. Saint Paul Illaire, sent specimens onto Germany where they were formally described in his honor as Saintpaulia. It is of interest that two British plant enthusiasts, Sir John Kirk and Rev. W.E. Taylor, collected and submitted specimens to Kew Botanical Gardens in 1884 and 1887, respectively; however, the quality of specimens was insufficient to permit scientific description at that time.

Since the discovery of these plants, 21 species and several hybrids have been described - special African violet clubs and societies and much literature has devoted to what is now one of the chief conservation flagship species of Amani Nature Reserve. With nine species inhabiting the Eastern Usambaras, it is no wonder that many African violet enthusiasts trickle through the lowlands and highlands to look at wild plants. Collecting is prohibited, so please help us by taking care of these very important plants so that they can still be viewed in their natural habitat for generations to come.

Photo: N.J. Cordeiro

Poster by: N.J. Cordeiro
© East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme (EUCAMP) / Amani Nature Reserve