saintpaulia
(səntˈpɔːlɪə)
[mod.L. (H. Wendland 1893, in Gartenflora XLII. 321), f. the name of Baron Walter von Saint-Paul (1860–1910), German explorer + -ia1.]
A stemless perennial herb of the genus so called, belonging to the family Gesneriaceæ, native to East Africa, and bearing ovate hairy leaves and clusters of violet, pink, or white flowers; esp. a pot plant of the species Saintpaulia Ionantha, the African violet.
| 1895 Hofmarschal Baron St. Paul in Curtis's Bot. Mag. CXXI. 7408 The Saintpaulia was discovered by my son, who lives in East Africa. 1946 M. Free All about House Plants xv. 127 If you carefully examine a Saintpaulia which has been growing in the house all winter you will see..that it has split up into several crowns. 1961 Amateur Gardening 14 Oct. 27/2 It would be best to divide the saintpaulia when it finishes flowering. 1974 Times 5 Oct. 12/2 Millions of African violets, saintpaulias, are sold every year, but vast numbers do not live for long in houses or flats. |