Sinningia versus Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Fernwood's Cherries Jubilee'

Story # 56,


 Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


      So what about categories?


      In the last year, Ferns as a category lead the list.  We always say that colorful beats green and flowering beats foliage.  So why do people buy Ferns?


      The total of Begonias (rhizomatous and Rex) are second best.  Again, non-flowering foliage plants.


      ‘half-pint’ Poinsettias (3 ½”) sell well but Crown of Thorns beat them.


      But this story wants to know about Sinningias versus Streptocarpus?


           It’s Streptocarpus 2 to 1 over Sinningias.

How can there be 1,000 named Streptocarpus when no one ever heard of Streptocarpus?

Streptocarpus 'Fernwood's Cherries Jubilee'

Story # 3

                Streptocarpus is an unfortunate word.  Most people who know the plant, have by now, heard the common reaction by a newcomer:  “Sounds like a disease”.  Streptocarpus (twisted fruit) and Streptococcus (twisted germ) are descriptive if you know your Latin.  The rest of us are just happy to be able to pronounce it.

                No good common name has ever evolved.  Cape Primrose just adds to the confusion.  ‘Cape’ is a reference to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa where all the Streptocarpus species are native.  ‘Primrose’ came from the somewhat look alike narrow leaves.  Since Streptocarpus is not related to a Primrose nor winter hardy, this is misleading.

                The branding of Streptocarpus by GreenFuse as the Ladyslipper Streptocarpus may catch on but I hope not.  Most people have Ladyslipper reserved for an Orchid and are happy with themselves if they know it is a Paphiopedilum.

                Hobby people call them their “Streps”.

                No one could say Chrysanthemum before it became a major crop and turned into ‘Mum’.

                I’m holding out for calling them by their Genus name, Streptocarpus (Strep-Toe-Car-Pus).

                We’ll all look smarter.