The African violet may be the world’s best-known plant, with thousands of varieties in all colors and shapes. However, the African violet, known scientifically as Saintpaulia ionantha, is also one of the world’s most endangered plant species. It is one of about 20 species of Saintpaulia, native to a very small region of southern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania. This region is under heavy pressure from a growing human population, and only small patches of habitat remain for African violets.

Scientists in CREW’s Plant Research Division are using tissue culture methods to grow several species of Saintpaulia, including the critically endangered Saintpaulia rupicola. Tissue culture is a method whereby plants can be grown ex situ (away from their habitat) and be protected from contamination from pests and diseases. CREW scientists are also working to develop methods for freezing, or cryopreserving, tissues from the African violet in liquid nitrogen, for long-term germplasm storage. These methods could eventually be used for germplasm preservation by researchers in Africa.

The Plant Division is also supporting in situ conservation of African violets with the African Violet Conservation Fund. All of the proceeds from the sale of the ‘Rupicola’ African violet as a test tube plant go to the AVCF, and donations from other sources are also accepted. The AVCF is used to support African violet conservation projects in Africa, being conducted by researchers from Africa, Europe and elsewhere. Very little is known about the state of Saintpaulia in the wild, and some AVCF funds have been used to help support monitoring research on the wild populations in Tanzania and Kenya. For more information on the African Violet Conservation Fund call (513) 961-2739 or email testtubeplants@cincinnatizoo.org.

Be sure to see the African violet exhibit in Jungle Trails on your next visit to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.