Sinningia Cardinalis (Lehm.) H.E.Moore. Natural species, is a perennial herbaceous flowering tuberous plants, the closest relative known to many species Rechsteineria. The habitat of a species - Brazil and Argentina, where they grow in semi-shade at the foot of the trunks of trees or in the hollows between the rocks. The species has the following synonyms, which reflects the evolution of views in the systematics of this plant: Gesneria cardinalis, Lehmann 1850. Gesneria macrantha, Spreng. Rechsteineria cardinalis Kuntze 1891. Dircaea cardinalis, Regel 1853. Corytholoma cardinale, Fritsch 1894. The flowers are simple with a characteristic hood, formed by the merger of the two upper petals, tubular, narrow, elongated, with a length of about 4-6 cm, pubescent, axillary, with a bright red-crimson or red-orange color. The title "Cardinalis" as believe, is connected with the bright red color of the flower by analogy with red hat and robes of a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. Leaves medium in size, green or yellow-green, thick, pubescent, acuminate. The height of the shoots can reach 30-35 cm, growing from basal tuber with a diameter of 5-6 cm or more. In the winter months, when natural temperature drop and reduced light, plants can occur with seasonal rest period, when the above-ground part withers and dies until spring. In the spring of caudex appear first young shoots, forming a new flowering Bush. Recommended for cultivation well-drained and permeable soils, such as a mixture of sphagnum moss with peat. High humidity with moderate watering and relatively good lighting. The plant propagates by seeds, cuttings or tubers. With the participation of Sinningia cardinalis has created several hybrids, one of which is known under the name xGloxinera. Sinningia cardinalis also has some very remarkable forms used in the culture: Sinningia cardinalis 'Innocent' with delightful white flowers; Sinningia cardinalis 'George Kalmbacher' with peloric flowers; Sinningia cardinalis 'Orange' with orange flowers; Sinningia cardinalis 'Skydiver'; Sinningia cardinalis 'Umbellata'; Sinningia cardinalis 'Redcoat' and some others.
