''Streptocarpus'' ("twisted fruit" from Greek στρεπτός (''streptos'') "twisted" and καρπός (''carpos'') "fruit") is an
Afrotropical
The Afrotropical realm is one of Earth's eight biogeographic realms. It includes Africa south of the Sahara Desert, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula, the island of Madagascar, southern Iran and extreme southwestern Pakistan, and the island ...
genus of
flowering plants in the family
Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to
Afromontane
The Afromontane regions are subregions of the Afrotropical realm, one of the Earth's eight biogeographic realms, covering the plant and animal species found in the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. The Afromontane regions ...
biotope
A biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals. ''Biotope'' is almost synonymous with the term "habitat", which is more commonly used in English-speaking countrie ...
s from central, eastern and southern
Africa, including
Madagascar and the
Comoro Islands.
The flowers are five-petalled, salverform
tubes, almost
orchid-like in appearance, and hover or arch over the plant, while the pointed, elongate fruit is of a
helical form similar to that of the "tusk" of a
narwhal
The narwhal, also known as a narwhale (''Monodon monoceros''), is a medium-sized toothed whale that possesses a large "tusk" from a protruding canine tooth. It lives year-round in the Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada and Russia. It is o ...
. In the wild, species can be found growing on shaded rocky hillsides or cliffs, on the ground, in rock crevices, and almost anywhere the seed can germinate and grow. For the home, there are now many hybrids of various colours and forms available.
Although generally referred to simply as "Streptocarpus" or "Streps", the common name for
subgenus
In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...
''Streptocarpus'' is Cape primrose, referring to the nativity of several species to
South Africa and their superficial resemblance to the unrelated genus ''
Primula''. The common name for
subgenus
In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...
''Streptocarpella'' is nodding violet.
''Streptocarpus'' sect. ''Saintpaulia'' ("African violet") is a separate section within ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus ''Streptocarpella''.
DNA studies have shown that, despite not having a twisted fruit, African violets evolved from within the Tanzanian ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus ''Streptocarpella''.
There are a few
Asian species that have recently been removed from the genus, most notably ''Streptocarpus orientalis'', now reclassified as ''
Damrongia orientalis
''Damrongia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the Gesneriad family, centered in Thailand and found in southern China, Southeast Asia, and Sumatra. Species were reassigned to it in 2016 in a revision of Loxocarpinae.
Species
Currently accepted ...
.'' Molecular systematics has shown conclusively that they are not true ''Streptocarpus''.
[Bellstedt, D. U., ''Streptocarpus'' Genus Overview]
Description
There are two subgenera within ''Streptocarpus'', namely subgenus ''Streptocarpus'' and subgenus ''Streptocarpella''.
Subgenus ''Streptocarpus''
Within the ''Streptocarpus''
subgenus
In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...
''Streptocarpus'', there are two main forms, the plurifoliates and the unifoliates.
''Streptocarpus'' with more than one leaf are called "plurifoliates", and there are two main types of these. First is the rosulate form, which is
perennial. Rosulates are made up of a basal rosette of leaves. Flower stems sprout from the upper surfaces of the bases of these leaves. The most common ''Streptocarpus'' houseplant is of the rosulate type. The flowers of modern rosulate hybrids are generally three to several centimeters in diameter. The other plurifoliate type is essentially somewhere in between a rosulate and a unifoliate. In this group, two or three leaves grow in addition to the first leaf. The plurifoliates are perennial. Examples are ''Streptocarpus prolixus'', and ''Streptocarpus polyanthus'' ssp ''polyanthus''.
The second form is the
unifoliate, which only has one leaf. In the unifoliates group, one single leaf grows continuously from the base. Many unifoliates are also
monocarpic, which means that they will flower once, set seed, then die. But they may take a few years to reach this stage. In other unifoliates, the original leaf may die, but one or two new leaves will sprout from it, and the plant continues to grow.
This subgenus (comprising plurifoliates and unifoliates) is unique in that, in winter, they can form abscission lines part way down the leaf (see photo gallery below). The leaf then dies back to this point, whilst the proximal part of the leaf stays alive and healthy. In unifoliate species, the remaining healthy portion of that leaf will start to grow again from the base.
Subgenus ''Streptocarpella''
Members of the ''Streptocarpus''
subgenus
In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.
In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...
''Streptocarpella'' are very different in form to those mentioned above.
The flowers and seed pods are similar, but the leaves and stems are
caulescent (have stems). ''Streptocarpellas'' are generally clump-forming or trailing plants. Their flowers are only about 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, and their colour range seems to be limited to mid-purples, pale pinks, and white.
''Streptocarpella'' leaves can be decussate in arrangement (each pair of leaves at a node is at 90 degrees to the ones preceding or following it), or ternate (whorls of 3 leaves at each node). Some specimens may exhibit both on the same plant. Streptocarpella are grown as houseplants, hanging plants, and sometimes as bedding plants.
These two ''Streptocarpus'' subgenera do not interbreed.
For information on ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus ''Streptocarpella'' section ''Saintpaulia'', see
''Streptocarpus'' sect. ''Saintpaulia''.
Flower anatomy
''Streptocarpus'' flowers are five-lobed, salverform,
zygomorphic tubes. The diagram at the right shows a labelled drawing of a vertical cross-section along the length of a ''Streptocarpus'' flower.
It is important to note that the two anthers (each arising from one filament on each side of the flower), are loosely joined together. As the anthers mature, they open slightly and act like a pepper shaker, which means that not all the pollen is released at once.
''Streptocarpus'' flowers have evolved to be pollinated by birds, long-tongued flies, butterflies and probably long-tongued moths and bees. Although almost any small insect, animal, or breeze could potentially pollinate ''Streptocarpus''. ''Streptocarpus'' flowers often have nectar guidelines that guide would-be pollinators to the nectar (and anthers and stigmas). Self-pollination is also common.
Species
About 155 species of ''Streptocarpus'' are currently recognized, the first to be described being ''Streptocarpus rexii''.
A complete list of the species and their synonyms can be found at the Smithsonian's World Checklist of Gesneriaceae.
A list of selected species from representative locales
follows:
* ''
S. andohahelensis''
Humbert (Madagascar)
* ''
S. candidus''
Hilliard - scented (South Africa, Natal)
* ''
S. caulescens''
Vatke (Kenya, Tanzania)
* ''
S. confusus''
Hilliard (South Africa)
* ''
S. cooperi''
C.B.Clarke (South Africa)
* ''
S. cyaneus''
S. Moore (South Africa, Transvaal)
* ''
S. denticulatus'' (South Africa)
* ''
S. dolomiticus'' - in the process of being described (origin unknown)
* ''
S. dunnii''
Hook. f. (South Africa)
* ''
S. elongatus''
Engl. (Cameroon, San Thomé Island, Sudan)
* ''
S. eylsii''
S.Moore - scented (Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia)
* ''
S. fanniniae''
Harv. Ex C. B. Cl. - scented (South Africa)
* ''
S. fenestra-dei''
Weigend & T.J.Edwards (South Africa, Transvaal)
* ''
S. formosus''
(Hilliard & B.L.Burtt) T.J.Edwards (South Africa)
* ''
S. gardenii''
Hook. (South Africa, Natal)
* ''
S. glandulosissimus''
Engl. (Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda)
* ''
S. insularis''
Hutch. & Dalziel (West Africa: Fernando Po Island)
* ''
S. kentaniensis''
L.L.Britten & Story (Congo)
* ''
S. liliputana''
D.U.Bellstedt & T.J.Edwards (Pondoland in Eastern Cape, South Africa)
* ''
S. meyeri''
B.L. Burtt (South Africa)
* ''
S. milanjianus''
Hilliard & B.L.Burtt (Malawi)
* ''
S. modestus''
L.L.Britten (South Africa)
* ''
S. pentherianus'' (South Africa)
* ''
S. polyanthus''
Hook. (South Africa)
* ''
S. pusillus''
Harv. ex C.B.Clarke (South Africa)
* ''
S. revivescens''
Humbert ex B.L.Burtt (Madagascar)
* ''
S. rexii''
(Bowie ex Hook.) Lindl. (South Africa)
* ''
S. rhodesianus''
S.Moore (Angola, Katanga, Zambia)
* ''
S. saxorum''
Engl. (Kenya, Tanzania)
* ''
S. trabeculatus''
Hilliard (South Africa)
* ''
S. vandeleurii''
Baker f. & S.Moore - scented (South Africa)
* ''
S. variabilis''
Humbert (Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Anjouan Island)
* ''
S. wilmsii''
Engl. (South Africa)
* ''
S. zimmermannii''
Engl. (Tanzania)
Cultivation
Each grower will have their own preferences for cultivation. The details given below are a tested general guide, but ''Streptocarpus'' will do quite well on either side of these optimums.
The two main things to remember when growing ''Streptocarpus'' are that they do not like soil that is too wet, and they do not like it too hot.
Soil: Use an ordinary commercial potting mix with 1/8 to 1/4 perlite mixed in. This makes sure the soil will retain some moisture but not get boggy. Always have adequate drainage holes at the bottom of the pot you are planting in.
Temperature: . They can be taken down to or less in winter for a rest.
Light: Medium to bright indirect light is best. However, a bit of morning/late afternoon sun is more than okay. Even in dimmer light, they will flower - but less
floriferously.
Water: Water only once the soil is almost dry. Some growers prefer to water only when the leaves have just started to wilt (or just before). They recover very well from dehydration, and this is one of the traits of the species. Make sure the pot has holes in the bottom to drain water, and never leave the pots sitting in a saucer of water.
Feeding: Feed occasionally with a "fruit and flower" or general fertilizer.
Seasons: Generally, ''Streptocarpus'' will flower from spring to autumn. In winter, they will stop flowering and may lose some leaves, which is normal. However, some varieties flower in winter.
Pruning of leaves & flowers: You may slice off yellowing or browned leaves at the base - these will be the older leaves naturally dying off. If there is a healthy leaf with some blemishing, you can successfully cut off only the blemished parts and trim the leaf to a normal shape. With regards to flowers, snip off individuals as they finish, then snip the whole stem off at the base once the last flower on that stem is spent.
Cut flowers: ''Streptocarpus'' flowers also make excellent cut flowers, especially the long-stemmed varieties. They last well.
Pests and diseases: ''Streptocarpus'' are generally pest and disease-free. However, the most common afflictions are
aphids and
mealybug
Mealybugs are insects in the family (biology), family Pseudococcidae, unarmored scale insects found in moist, warm habitats. Many species are considered pest (animal), pests as they feed on plant juices of greenhouse plants, house plants and sub ...
s. These are easily treatable with commercial insecticides or cultural pest removal methods.
Leaves and abscission: It is common for older leaves to die off occasionally, but especially in winter. They may be snipped off. New leaves will replace them.
The leaves of some perennial, but usually unifoliate ''Streptocarpus'', are unusual because, as winter approaches, they slowly die back to an
abscission line midway down the leaf. The end portion of the leaf will gradually die back to this line. In most flowering plants, an abscission line forms at the base of the leaf, and the whole leaf will fall off (e.g. the leaves of
deciduous trees like
oak).
Propagation
Propagation is usually either by seed or leaf cuttings. Some species produce plantlets from the roots, which can be used to propagate the plant. Mature clumps of plants can also be divided up and repotted.
''Streptocarpus'' species seed that has been self-pollinated will grow true to type.
Self-pollinated hybrid seed will not grow true to type. The only way to propagate hybrid plants and retain the characteristics of the hybrid, is by leaf propagation (or other types of vegetative cloning)
For ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus ''Streptocarpus'':
By seed: ''Streptocarpus'' seed is generally very fine (see image gallery below). To germinate, the seed must be scattered thinly on top of potting mix, as they require light to germinate. The pot they are sown in must be covered in clear plastic “cling film” to keep up the humidity. Keep the sown seed where it will get bright, indirect light, and remain about 18-20 degrees Celsius. Keep them out of direct sunlight.
By leaf:
A ''Streptocarpus'' leaf can be severed at the base, taking some petiole (but above where flowers arise), and potted, base-down, in a few centimetres of potting mix. Place a clear plastic bag over the pot and secure with a rubber band to keep up the humidity.
* You can also put leaves cut in this way in a glass of water to root (change water weekly).
Leaf segments, cut either horizontally across the leaf, or length-wise along the leaf (removing the midrib), can be used as cuttings in much the same way. Place the segments cut-side down in soil, as above. For unifoliates, this method is apparently less successful, but not impossible. However, it must be done before the plant flowers.
''Streptocarpus'' leaves have a high concentration of
cytokinin (a type of rooting hormone), so the use of artificial rooting hormones is unnecessary.
By root plantlet: Un-pot a plant that you know is susceptible to producing root plantlets (e.g. ''Streptocarpus johannis'', and its sports ‘Falling Stars’ and 'Gloria'. You will see, once the roots are exposed, whether any plantlets have formed between the soil and pot.
Sometimes, these plantlets will be evident growing out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. You can then snip these plantlets off (preferably with their attached roots), and plant up as for leaf propagation above).
By clump division: You can divide a multi-crown clump into pieces (each with a root system), and plant up as for leaf propagation above.
For ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus ''Streptocarpella'':
By seed: ''Streptocarpus'' seed is generally very fine. To germinate, the seed must be scattered thinly on top of potting mix, as they require light to germinate. The pot they are sown in must be covered in clear plastic “cling film” to keep up the humidity. Keep the sown seed where it will get bright, indirect light, and remain about 18-20 degrees Celsius. Keep them out of direct sunlight.
By stem cuttings: Cuttings of about 5–10 cm can be taken beneath a leaf node. When the cutting is placed in clean water, it will sprout roots. Keep the cuttings in bright, indirect light at about 18-20 degrees Celsius. Once the roots are about 5 cm long, you can pot up the cutting into the soil mixture mentioned above.
Hybridisation
Hybridisation of ''Streptocarpus'' is conceptually very simple. The pollen of one plant (therefore the father) is placed onto the tip of the stigma of another plant (the mother). To prevent unwanted self-pollination of the mother plant, carefully remove its
anther
The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...
s beforehand. To help prevent unwanted cross-pollination, cover the newly fertilized stigma with a small plastic bag. If fertilization was successful, the seed pod will start to elongate within a few days. As the pod grows, it will start showing its namesake twisted form. Once the pod is mature, it will turn brown, dry off, and split open along the spiralled seams to release the seeds.
Another method that is used to create hybrids is to use radiation or chemicals to alter the genes. For example,
irradiation may be used (e.g. xrays, gamma rays) to induce
mutations that may give rise to plants with new characteristics. Another example is the use of
colchicine to induce
polyploidy (multiplying number of chromosomes) in plants, also to introduce new traits.
Over the years, numerous hybrids have been produced. ''S. rexii'' was used in many of the early hybrids, and its form is one that we most recognize in modern-day hybrids. But more recent hybrids may contain the genes of other species or hybrids. When making a cross, hybridizers keep in mind which traits they wish to bring out or improve in the progeny.
Much hybridizing work has been done to produce modern hybrids with an increased range of flower colours and forms, leaf variations, increased flowering periods, and more recently to introduce scent. Thanks to the work of hybridizers, ''Streptocarpus'' now come in a range of colours. These include reds, pinks, purples, blues, yellows, whites, and near-blacks. The only colour that is so-far not available is a true orange.
Flowers now exist that are multicoloured, striped, spotted, veined, double, larger or smaller, and even fragrant and colour-changing. There are also variegated-leaf varieties, such as ''S.'' 'Canterbury Surprise'. Flower stems may be short or tall; leaves may be big or small; flowers may be full or dainty; and there may be one or many flowers per stem.
AGM cultivars
The following hybrid
cultivars
A cultivar is a type of Horticulture, cultivated plant that people have selected for desired phenotypic trait, traits and when Plant propagation, propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and st ...
have gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
:-
* 'Bethan' (violet-blue, striped)
* 'Blue Frills'
* 'Burgundy Ice' (burgundy edged white)
* 'Carys' (lavender/purple)
* 'Charlotte' (pale blue/yellow)
* 'Crystal Ice' (white veined with violet-blue)
* 'Falling Stars' (pale blue sport of S. johannis, very floriferous)
* 'Frosty Diamond' (white, blue, purple)
* 'Gloria' (pale pink)
* 'Hannah' (light pink/white)
* 'Harlequin Blue' (soft blue, yellow, purple line)
* 'Harlequin Lace' (pale blue, purple blotches on white)
* 'Jennifer' (pale violet-blue with darker veining)
* 'Jessica' (mid-pink)
* 'Katie' (white with purple blotches)
* 'Kim' (deep violet)
* 'Laura' (pale pink with maroon veining)
* 'Pearl' (white/yellow)
* 'Polka-Dot Purple'
* 'Rubina Rose' (mid-pink)
* 'Sioned' (magenta/pale pink)
* 'Snow White' (white, yellow throat)
* 'Stella' (pink with deeper veining)
* 'Susan' (magenta, yellow throat)
* 'Tina' (pink lower lobes deeper pink)
* 'White Butterfly'
Genes and inheritance
The following is a quick summary of 1950s publications by Lawrence and Sturgess,
[Lawrence, W.J.C. and V.C. Sturgess. 1957. Studies on ''Streptocarpus''. III. Genetics and Chemistry of Flower Colour in the Garden forms, Species, and Hybrids. Heredity 11: 303-336.][Lawrence, W.J.C. 1957. Studies on ''Streptocarpus''. IV. Genetics of Flower Colour Patterns. Heredity 11: 337-357.]
Colour genes
V = places pigment in the flower stems
F = places pigment in the petal cells
V and F are both necessary to give colour, but do not control which colour. When V or F are recessive (vv or ff) the flowers will lack any colour and will be white in appearance.
I = colour intensity. II = intense colour, Ii = medium colour and ii = pale colour. This gene doesn't control "which colour", just how "intense" the final colour will be in appearance.
The actual flower colour genes are named O, R, and D. Where the second copy of the gene is given as a "_", the second copy can be either dominant or a recessive. For example, in blue flowers, only one dominant of each the three genes is needed (e.g. the O gene could be either OO or Oo, and it wouldn't matter which).
Blue = O_R_D_
Magenta = ooR_D_
Pink = oorrD_
Mauve = O_R_dd
Rose = ooR_dd
Salmon = oorrdd
Other genes affect the pattern of colour or modify the final colour. Some of these genes are:
B = gives a blotch of colour in the throat of the bloom. The recessive "bb" produces flowers without a blotch. The trait appears to produce a darker or more intense version of the colour of the outer edges of the petals. Thus, you can get dark pink blotches on a lighter pink flower etc.
H = gives colour on the capitate hairs of the pistil. The recessive "hh" gives white or colourless hairs.
Genes F, I, B, and H are very closely linked and are usually inherited as a single unit. Therefore, many plants have pigmented flowers with at least medium intensity of color, and blotches in the throat, or have white flowers without blotches.
C = adds a co-pigment to the flower colour. This gene modifies the appearance of the colour, giving a bluish tint to the overall colour. Plants with the recessive "cc" combination have flowers that are "brighter" in appearance. In the Mauve-Rose-Salmon series, the dominant gene produces undesirable murky colours.
L = puts nectar guides in the flower tubes. The recessive "ll" produces flowers without the lines.
Y = puts a yellow central stripe in the flower tube. I suspect that the size of the yellow area changes with "YY" versus "Yy" plants. The recessive "yy" would produce flowers with no yellow in the flower tube.
Other genes are mentioned in the original articles,
but they appear to involve some rarely seen colour modifications. Genes for plant size, fragrance etc. were not mentioned in these articles.
History of discovery and hybridisation
The following is an adapted excerpt from the 1906 text "
Hortus Veitchii":
The first ''Streptocarpus'' to reach British gardens was ''Streptocarpus rexii''. This species was sent to
Kew in 1824 by
Mr Bowie, who was His Majesty’s collector in South Africa. The plant was found on the estate of
Mr George Rex, after whom it was named.
Following ''Streptocarpus rexii'' came ''Streptocarous polyantha'' from
Natal. It was accidentally introduced to Kew in 1853 in material surrounding trunks of
tree ferns sent from Natal by Captain Garden.
''Streptocarpus gardeni'', also introduced in 1853 from the same country was named for Captain Garden, who sent seeds to Kew.
In 1860,
Mr Wilson Saunders sent a specimen to Kew, and it was eventually named ''Streptocarpus saundersii''.
In 1882, the
caulescent species, ''Streptocarpus kirkii'', was sent to Kew by
Sir John Kirk
Sir John Kirk, (19 December 1832 – 15 January 1922) was a physician, naturalist, companion to explorer David Livingstone, and British administrator in Zanzibar, where he was instrumental in ending the slave trade in that country, with the a ...
.
''Streptocarpus caulescens'', another caulescent species, followed in 1886.
In 1887, ''Streptocarpus parviflora'' (probably ''Streptocarpus parviflorus'', and referred to hereafter as such) was raised from seed brought in from
Grahamstown by
Mr Watson of Kew.
A similar plant raised from seed by Mr Lynch of the
Cambridge Botanic Gardens
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located in Cambridge, England, associated with the university Department of Plant Sciences (formerly Botany School). It lies between Trumpington Road to the west, Bateman Street to ...
, was eventually named ''Streptocarpus lutea''.
The next plant to be introduced, ''Streptocarpus dunnii'', played an important role in the production of “beautiful hybrids” of the day. In 1884, seed was collected in the mountains of the
Transvaal gold fields, and sent to Kew by Mr E. G. Dunn of
Claremont, Cape Town
Claremont is a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated 9 kilometres south of the city, and is one of the so-called " Southern Suburbs", it is situated alongside Lansdowne. It is an important commercial and residential area, which is cur ...
. It was a unifoliate species with “rose or salmon red colour”. It first flowered at Kew in 1886.
In 1890, ''Streptocarpus galpini'' was introduced to Kew by
Mr E Galpin, who found it on the “Bearded Man” peak that forms one of the boundaries of Swaziland.
''
Streptocarpus wendlandii
''Streptocarpus'' ("twisted fruit" from Greek στρεπτός (''streptos'') "twisted" and καρπός (''carpos'') "fruit") is an Afrotropical genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to Afromontane biotopes fr ...
'' was sent in 1887 from Transvaal to Naples to “Messrs Damman” (i.e. two or more men with the last name ‘Damman’ – possibly nurserymen). It first appeared in England at Kew in seed contained in soil attached to tree ferns from South Africa. It flowered at Kew in 1895.
A hybrid named “''Streptocarpus'' × ''Dyeri''” was raised at Kew by crossing ''Streptocarpus wendlandii'' with ''Streptocarpus dunii''.
''Streptocarpus faninii'' (not currently listed, could this perhaps be referring to ''Streptocarpus fanniniae''?), is apparently noteworthy because of its contribution to many of the “more beautiful hybrids”.
Hortus Veitchii states that the first hybrid ''Streptocarpus'' recorded was “''Streptocarpus'' × ''Greenii''”, which was the progeny of ''S. saundersii'' and ''S. rexii''. It was raised by Mr Charles Green, who was at the time the gardener to Sir George Mackay of
Pendell Court. This specimen was apparently never widely grown and did not contribute to the “present garden race”.
The initial step towards the “beautiful forms” in cultivation at the time was taken by the Curator of Kew. He raised the hybrid “''Streptocarpus'' × ''Kewensis''” by crossing ''S. rexii'' and ''S. dunii''. However, he had previously also raised ''S. parviflorus'' × ''S. rexii''. A coloured plate of the progeny was published in 1886.
In 1887, another Kew-raised hybrid flowered. It was a hybrid of ''S. parviflorus'' and ''S. dunnii'', and received the name of ''S.'' × ''Watsoni'', after Mr Watson who raised the seed.
In 1887, two hybrids (''S.'' × ''Kewensis'' and ''S.'' × ''Watsoni'') were crossed with each other and their parents in all combinations. A host of progeny resulted with marked differences in colour, size, form and flower, and many were “decidedly attractive”. A selection of these were obtained by Heal, who crossed them with each other and with the red-flowered ''S. dunii''. Many of these are now known as “Veitch’s Original Hybrids”. Breeding continued using these hybrids.
Societies and the international registry
There are several societies and groups dedicated to ''Streptocarpus'' enthusiasts. Common activities include imparting knowledge, sharing plant material for propagation, and ''Streptocarpus'' shows. These societies are both large and small. Some of the groups are housed within larger Gesneriad groups.
Examples of ''Streptocarpus'' societies or groups:
* British ''Streptocarpus'' Society
* The Gesneriad Society (including societies and the international registry for ''Streptocarpus'' hybrids)
* Gesneriphiles - an active email forum
* AVI Streps - a forum for ''Streptocarpus'' enthusiasts
* Steptocarpus Info - including forums
Showing and displays
Shows
In addition to the casual growing, private enthusiasm, or hybridizing, ''Streptocarpus'' make excellent show plants.
Flower shows are competitions where prizes are awarded for presenting outstanding, usually individual specimens.
''Streptocarpus'' are shown in locations all around the world, either in Streptocarpus-exclusive shows, or as part of wider garden or
Gesneriaceae shows.
Generally, to do well at shows, a specimen needs to have many perfect flowers, none faded or damaged; and many healthy, unblemished leaves. ''Streptocarpus'' flowers come from leaves, so more leaves means more flowers.
[Dibley, R., ''Streptocarpus'' (second edition, Wales, 2008, pg 78]
Prizes may also be awarded for "uniqueness" of a specimen.
Displays
Displays are when a large group of plants are shown together, and prizes are awarded for the overall 'look' of the display.
Dibleys Nurseries
Dibleys Nurseries is a grower of ''Streptocarpus'' plants. The nursery is based in Llanelidan, Denbighshire, north-east Wales.
In 2021, Dibleys Nurseries won their 31st Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, bringing their tally of RHS Gold ...
, of
Wales, have won over 100 Royal Horticultural Society gold medals for their ''Streptocarpus'' displays, including 25
Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, formally known as the ''Great Spring Show'',Phil Clayton, ''The Great Temple Show'' in ''The Garden'' 2008, p.452, The Royal Horticultural Society is a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural ...
gold medals.
Images
File:Peloria in Streptocarpus.jpg, eft
A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae. The terrestrial juvenile phase is called an eft. Unlike other members of the family Salamandridae, newts are semiaquatic, alternating between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Not all aqu ...
Normal ''Streptocarpus'' flower (zygomorphic), and ight peloric ''Streptocarpus'' flower on the same plant.
File:Asymmetric cotyledon development in Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella.jpg, Asymmetric cotyledon development in ''Streptocarpus'' subgenus Streptocarpella
File:2007-03-20Streptocarpus01.jpg, ''Streptocarpus'' 'Marlene' from above
File:Pink Streptocarpella flowers.JPG, Pink ''Streptocarpella'' flowers
File:Streptocarpus seed next to pinky finger and seed pods.JPG, ''Streptocarpus'' seed
File:A flower showing 'fantasy' patterning, Streptocarpus 'DS-Plush Animal'.JPG, A flower showing 'fantasy' patterning, ''Streptocarpus'' 'DS-Little Plushy Arctic Fox'
File:Streptocarpus seedling with Streptocarpus liliputana in ancestry.JPG, ''Streptocarpus'' seedling with ''Streptocarpus liliputana'' in recent ancestry
File:Streptocarpus confusus ssp confusus (unifoliate, monocarpic), young plant.JPG, ''Streptocarpus'' confusus ssp confusus, young plant
File:Streptocarpus 'Anderson's Purple Delta'.JPG, ''Streptocarpus'' 'Anderson's Purple Delta'
File:Part of the Dibleys Streptocarpus display at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2011.JPG, Part of the Dibleys ''Streptocarpus'' display at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2011
File:Streptoarpus flower anomaly - 6 petals.JPG, Extra petal anomaly in ''Streptocarpus'' 'Gloria'
File:10-year-old (approx) Streptocarpus 'Kim' after pre-winter prune showing creeping stems.JPG, 10-year-old (approx) ''Streptocarpus'' 'Kim' after pre-winter prune showing creeping stems
File:Streptocarpus 'Anderson's Wellington Morning' hybrid, side-on.JPG, Side-on view of a ''Streptocarpus'' flower
File:Close-up of Streptocarpus bud.jpg, An unopened ''Streptocarpus'' bud showing hairs, ''Streptocarpus'' 'Anderson's Nightway'
File:Streptocarpusconcordblue.jpg, ''Streptocarpella'' 'Concord Blue'
File:Streptocarpus leaves showing abcission line.JPG, A mature rosulate variety of ''Streptocarpus'' showing new winter abscission lines
File:Streptocarpus leaf with abcission line.JPG, Close-up of a ''Streptocarpus'' leaf showing winter abscission line
File:Peloric Streptocarpus flower.jpg, Left: A normal zygomorphic ''Streptocarpus'' flower. Right: An aberrant peloric ''Streptocarpus'' flower. Both of these flowers appeared on the ''Streptocarpus'' hybrid 'Anderson's Crows' Wings'.
File:Root plantlet of Streptocarpus 'Dales Polar Lava'.jpg, Root plantlet of ''Streptocarpus'' 'Dale's Polar Lava'
File:Root plantlet on Streptocarpus 'Gloria'.JPG, Root plantlet on ''Streptocarpus'' 'Gloria'
References
External links
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''Streptocarpus'' InfoThe Gesneriad Reference WebThe British ''Streptocarpus'' SocietyThe Gesneriad Society (including societies and the international registry for ''Streptocarpus'' hybrids)
{{Taxonbar, from=Q159180
Gesneriaceae genera
Garden plants
House plants