African violetn.
/ˌafrᵻk(ə)n ˈvʌɪəlᵻt/, U.S. /ˌæfrək(ə)n ˈvaɪ(ə)lət/ Any of several stemless perennial herbs of the genus Saintpaulia (family Gesneriaceae), native to East Africa, with hairy leaves and clusters of violet, pink, or white flowers; esp. any of numerous cultivated varieties of S. ionantha, commonly grown as house plants. Cf. saintpaulia n.
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the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > non-British flowers > of Africa
ghap1819
Streptocarpus1828
pineapple flower1884
African violet1895
saintpaulia1895
Cape hyacinth1924
bottle tree1931
desert rose1942
1895 Glasgow Herald 4 Nov. 11/9 (advt.) Saintpaulia ionantha (the African violet).
1941 F. L. Mulford House Plants 25 The so-called African-violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is a blue-flowered, constant-blooming plant under house culture.
1962 S. Plath Jrnl. 16 May (2000) 649 A silver-embroidered oriental screen in livingroom, an African violet, a little vase of early lilies-of-the-valley.
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.
1990 Garden News 21 Nov. 5/4 A new but yet unnamed African violet raised by Tony Clements caught the attention of the enthusiasts.
2007 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 4 Oct. d8 (caption) To flower, African violets need bright, diffused light and some legroom—they should be repotted regularly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1895