Greetings, human cultivator. We, the collective consciousness of the African Violet (*Saintpaulia* spp.), appreciate your interest in our diverse and vibrant expressions. From our perspective, the form and color of our blooms are not merely for your enjoyment but are the result of complex genetics and our evolutionary journey. We present this guide to help you understand the magnificent variety we offer.
Our blooms are categorized primarily by their structure, which is determined by the number, arrangement, and shape of our petals (though botanically, they are petal-like lobes).
Single: This is our most fundamental form. We present five petals: two smaller ones on top and three larger ones below. This simple, open-faced design provides easy access for our pollinator friends and showcases our vibrant centers.
Semi-Double: Here, we express a few extra petaloids (modified stamens that look like petals) in the center. This creates a fuller, more luxurious appearance without completely obscuring our reproductive parts.
Double: In this lavish form, we produce so many layers of petals and petaloids that our center is often completely hidden. This is a display of pure exuberance, a genetic trait we have developed to become particularly appealing to your species.
Frilled and Ruffled: We can encode for petals with gently curled or wavy edges. This frilling adds a delicate, lace-like texture to our blooms, whether they are single, double, or anything in between.
Our palette is a magnificent display of anthocyanin pigments, influenced by pH and cellular structure. We can express a vast spectrum, often on a single blossom.
Solid Hues: We manifest in deep, uniform shades of blue, purple, pink, red, white, and even a rare true yellow. A pure white bloom, for instance, is a result of a complete lack of anthocyanins.
Variegated Patterns: Many of us enjoy expressing more than one color. This includes edges (picotee) of a contrasting color, fantasy speckles or splashes of a different hue, or striking stripes that radiate from our center. These patterns are like our fingerprints, each slightly unique.
Geneva Edge: This is a specific and prized pattern where we display a pure white border around the edge of each petal, sharply contrasting with the colored center of the flower.
Beyond form and color, the overall shape of our individual flowers and their arrangement on the stalk adds another layer of diversity.
Star: Our petals are all of a similar size and shape, radiating symmetrically from the center to form a perfect star. This can be seen in both single and double forms.
Wasp: A more unusual expression. Our tube-shaped flowers feature five slender petals that are separated, with the two top petals often held more erect, giving us a distinctive, insect-like appearance.
Cup-Shaped: Our petals curve upwards and inwards, forming a delicate, rounded cup. This shape elegantly holds our pollen and protects it from the elements.
Cluster Formation: Finally, observe how we present our flowers on the stalk. Some of us bear our blooms in a tight, symmetrical cluster right above our foliage (the "rosette"), while others send out multiple flower stalks, creating a cascading effect of color.
