gloxinia

/glok sin"ee euh/, n.

1. any of several horticultural varieties of a plant belonging to the genus Sinningia, of the gesneria family, esp. S. speciosa, having large white, red, or purple bell-shaped flowers.

2. any plant of the genus Gloxinia, of Central and South America, having bluish, white, or pink flowers.

[named after Benjamin P. Gloxin (fl. 1785), German physician and botanist; see -IA]

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Any of the 20 plant species, native to Brazil, that make up the genus Sinningia in the gesneriad family, especially S. speciosa, an ornamental potted plant.

Gloxinias produce large, erect, bell-shaped flowers in rich, velvety colours, usually violet or purple. The genus Gloxinia of the same family contains six species that are not cultivated.

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▪ plant

      (Sinningia speciosa), perennial flowering plant of the family Gesneriaceae. Gloxinias are native to Brazil and are now widely cultivated as garden and house plants. They grow 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) in height and produce large, tubular or bell-shaped flowers surrounded by attractive foliage of a soft, velvety texture. The blooms are characterized by their richness and variety of colouring, which ranges from shades of blue and purple through pink and crimson to white. Gloxinias have tuberous roots and ovate or oblong leaves with toothed margins. The preferred method of propagation is by seed planted indoors in late winter, but choice varieties can be increased by cuttings. The plants require a period of dormancy after flowering. Gloxinias may be put outdoors in summer in moist, rich soil in a warm but shady location.

      S. speciosa should not be confused with the genus Gloxinia, which contains about 15 species of plants that also belong to the family Gesneriaceae but are of lesser horticultural interest.

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