Sinningia

Sinningia is a genus in the Gesneriaceae family that is mostly tuberous -- although some species are fibrous-rooted shrubs and some produce only rudimentary tubers. A few species are "stoloniferous," producing satellite tubers (e.g., S. tubiflora), and most species are lithophytes (growing on rocks) or epiphytes, rather than truly terrestrial. With over 70 species, the genus spans from Central America all the way south to Argentina; however, the largest concentration of species are found in eastern and southern Brazil, where they grow in both the humid Atlantic rainforest and the rocky savannah known as "campos rupestres." To this genus belongs the common florist "gloxinia" (S. speciosa), as well as some miniature species (S. pusilla, S. concinna and the newly discovered S. muscicola), and S. leucotricha, which is well sought after by growers of succulents (unfortunately, this latter plant is often grown erroneously as S. canescens, a different species). Many plants in the genus make attractive houseplants or garden subjects, and those from southern Brazil and Argentina specially have proven to be hardy to zone 7 (or even 6) in the U.S. In addition to attractive flowers, some species are grown for their beautiful pubescent haired leaves (S. leucotricha, S. hatschbachii, S. canescens, S. globulosa). Succulent growers also grow many species, particularly those with large exposed tubers (such as S. bulbosa, S. macrostachya, S. lineata). Flower color is mostly red, although some species have orange, yellowish, lavender-purple, green and white flowers (with or without spots). A few species also have fragrant flowers (in particular, S. tubiflora, and some clones of S. speciosa, S. lindleyi and S. guttata). (by Tsuh Yang Chen, updated June 2009)

More information on this genus as well as pictures can be found on the Gesneriad Reference Web

Sinningia was the topic of the week November 2003. Here is the Introduction by John Ingram and a follow-up post


Information about the species can be found on the Sinningia species page or click on the species in the table below. Pictures of hybrids can be found on the Sinningia hybrids wiki page.


Sinningia
Probably Sinningia aggregata, Joseph Theunissen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
aggregata
Sinningia aghensis, Alan Lavergne [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
aghensis
Sinningia araneosa, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
araneosa
Sinningia sp. nov. 'Ibitioca' in situ Brazil, Tsuh Yang Chen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
bragae
Sinningia brasiliensis, Dennis Kramb [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
brasiliensis
Sinningia bullata, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
bullata
Sinningia douglasii, John Ingram [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
douglasii
Sinningia sp., Germán Roitman [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
elatior
Sinningia gerdtiana, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
gerdtiana
Sinningia gesneriifolia, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
gesneriifolia
Sinningia guttata, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
guttata
Sinningia hatschbachii, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
hatschbachii
Sinningia helleri, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
helleri
Sinningia hirsuta, Dennis Kramb [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
hirsuta
Sinningia iarae, John Ingram [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
iarae
Sinningia insularis, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
insularis
Sinningia leopoldii, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
leopoldii
Sinningia leucotricha, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
leucotricha
Sinningia macropoda, Tsuh Yang Chen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
macropoda
Sinningia macrostachya, John Ingram [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
macrostachya
Sinningia magnifica, John Ingram [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
magnifica
Sinningia musicola, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
muscicola
Sinningia ramboi, Dennis Kramb [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
ramboi
Sinningia reitzii, Jinean Schofield [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
reitzii
Sinningia richii 'Robson Lopes', Alcie Maxwell.jpg [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
richii
Sinningia schiffneri, in situ Brazil, Tsuh Yang Chen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
schiffneri
Sinningia sellovii, John Ingram [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
sellovii
Sinningia speciosa, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
speciosa
Sinningia sulcata, Dennis Kramb [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
sulcata
Sinningia tubiflora, Nhu Nguyen [Shift+click to enlarge, Click to go to wiki entry]
tubiflora

Sinningia hybrids - Sinningia species


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