This curious little African Gesnerad is gradually attracting attention owing to its compact habit with small fleshy Gloxinia-like leaves, and deep- or light-blue Violet-like flowers, which have given it the name of the "Usambara Violet". There are a few forms, the best being grandiflora. They are all easily raised from, seeds sown in heat, and treated in the same way as Gloxinias (fig. 299).

Fig. 299. - Saintpaulia ionantha.