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). Most species are lithophytes or epiphytes, rather than truly terrestrial. With over 70 species, the genus spans from Mexico 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" (Sinningia speciosa), as well as some miniature species (S. pusilla, S. concinna and the newly discovered sp. "Rio das Pedras"), 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 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 with exposed tubers. Flower color is mostly red, although some species have orange, yellowish, lavender-purple, green (with or without spots) and white flowers. A few species also have fragrant flowers. (This information is furnished by Tsuh Yang Chen.)
Sinningia was the topic of the week November 2003. Here is the 
Introduction by John Ingram and a follow-up post
Information about hybrids and pictures of them can be found on the Sinningia Hybrids wiki page.
Sinningia aghensis: This very tall species produces red-wine colored flowers atop tall peduncles. This picture was taken in situ, in Brazil.
These show the flowers in detail and the habit (grown by/photos by Alan Lavergne):
Sinningia douglasii: Here is a rare red form of this species and a photo of the growth by John Ingram.
Sinningia guttata: The following 3 pics are by Alan Lavergne. The first one shows the variability in spotting in the flowers. Some clones are also fragrant.
Sinningia iarae. Here is a relatively new comer to the collector world.
It was discovered a few years ago. S. iarae has proven to be hardy in NC and has been used extensively in a lot of primary hybrids in hopes of increasing color range. Photo by John Ingram
Sinningia leucotricha.T his is a great garden plant for So. Cal. and can be grown in full sun along the coast. This is one of the most common species grown, sometimes mistakingly sold as canescens. It does fine with afternoon shade elsewhere. The salmon color is great and the fuzzy white leaves are a treasure. It is quite often sold by succulent growers because of the exposed caudex which can be quite attractive. The flowers are a beautiful salmon and open before the leaves are fully formed. These small leaves will expand over a month or so to reach 6-8" long. The first photo was taken by John Ingram and the next two by Bill Dijk. The third picture was taken three weeks after the second.
Sinningia macropoda is a beautiful medium-sized plant. Plant in situ in Brazil. Photo by Tsuh Yang Chen.
Sinningia macrostachya. This is a large leaf plant with few flowers. I want to
use this in some hybrids to increase plant size. The leaves can reach 10" across each and have the feel of sandpaper. It is quite interesting. Photo by John Ingram
Sinningia magnifica This is a beautiful blooming specimen. I have tried crossing this with a few other species to see what I will get. The first photo was taken by John Ingram and the second by Tsuh Yang Chen in situ in Brazil.
Sinningia schiffnerii is a shrubby species, with a rudimentary tuber. Photo taken in situ in Brazil, by Tsuh Yang Chen.
Sinningia sellovii. One photo shows the blooms and the other shows three full plants in 5 and 7 gallon containers. Photos by John Ingram
A picture of the plant in the wild was taken in October of 2003 at Iguazú Falls, Argentina, by Mark Wilcox.
Sinningia sp. nov. 'Ibitioca' is a newly discovered species. Plant in situ in Brazil. Photo by Tsuh Yang Chen.
Sinningia stricta is a plant with big tubers, and pale red flowers visited by hummingbirds. Picture from the northeast of Argentina, by Germán Roitman. Note from John Ingram*, S. stricta is a synonym for S. elatior. Also, this photo looks a lot like what should be labeled as S. warmingii. So, the plot thickens. S. warmingii has straight corollas while S. elatior is dorsally curved.
Sinningia tubiflora. This is a tuberous Sinningia that survives -6'C frost in Canberra, Australia. It also has a lovely delicate perfume. First two photos by Paul Tyerman. The third shows the fuzzy leaves as they break dormancy, the fourth offers a side view of the flower and the fifth a direct frontal view, by Jacob Knecht. The foliage smells foul when bruised but the flowers truly are very sweet and fruit-like smelling. I have found that in Honolulu, Hawai`i this species remains evergreen and vigorous yet fails to reflower possibly due to lack of sufficient cool winter temperatures.
This is an incredible plant. It has proven to be hardy to zone 6 in sheltered locations and I am trialling it in zone 5 (Canton, OH). The flowers are really sweet. It reminds me of Fruit Loops cereal. It can form nice colonies over time. Photo by John Ingram
More information on this genus as well as pictures can be found on the Gesneriad Reference Web
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