Seemannia

Seemannia is a genus consisting of 4 species which produces scaly rhizomes. This genus was previously included in Gloxinia. Within the species of Seemannia there is some naturally occuring variations, namely within Seemannia sylvatica and Seemannia purpurascens. Apart from natural variation, a number of hybrids and selections have been made both within this genus and as intergeneric hybrids with closely related genera. ×Seemakohleria (Seemannia × Kohleria), ×Achimannia (Achimenes × Seemannia) and ×Gloximannia (Gloxinia × Seemannia) are examples of intergeneric hybrids made involving Seemannia.

This genus being mainly distributed in the Andes, most species seem to be a lot more hardy to lower temperatures in comparison to other rhizomatous gesneriads occuring in the hobby. Even if I personally haven’t grown Seemannia outdoors during the summertime here in Sweden the chances are good these plants will perform well as seasonal plants. I base this on other peoples experience growing Seemannia outdoors in a temperate climate.

List of Seemannia species, cultivars and intergeneric hybrids

NameHybridizerYearParentageComments
Seemannia gymnostomaThis species is naturally occuring in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. This species does not have a lot of variations in nature, but a deviating light flowering form of the species can be seen in this observation.
Seemannia nematanthoidesNaturally occuring in Argentina and Bolivia. Often referred to as Seemannia nematanthodes.
Seemannia purpurascens
Seemannia sylvatica
Seemannia sylvatica “Yellow”This form of S. sylvatica is (as far as I’m aware) not yet in cultivation. According to two observations uploaded to iNaturalist, there seems to be a population of this yellow flowering S. sylvatica occuring in the valley between the lake Corani and Villa Tunari, along the road RN4, Cochabamba, Bolivia. These two observations can be seen here and here
×Gloximannia ‘Circe’Frances Batcheller1991×Gloximannia ‘Medea’ × Seemannia gymnostoma

Which equals:
(((Seemannia sylvatica × gymnostoma) × Gloxinia perennis) × (Seemannia sylvatica × gymnostoma)) × Seemannia gymnostoma
×Gloximannia ‘Medea’Frances Batcheller1983×Gloximannia ‘Arion’ × Seemannia ‘Medusa’
×Gloximannia ‘Arion’Frances Batcheller1981Seemannia ‘Medusa’ × Gloxinia perennis
Seemannia ‘Medusa’Frances Batcheller1976Seemannia sylvatica × gymnostoma
The japanese Seemannia sylvatica – hybrid groupUnknown, but seems to be hybrids including, or selections of Seemannia sylvaticaIt seems there is at least one plant nursery based in Yamanashi, Japan called Hosaka Flora (保坂フローラ) which grows an unknown number (it seems to be at least three different ones according to photos) of compact Seemannia cultivars (シーマニア). Often sold as a seasonal potted plant under the name “Witch Hat” or “Jack O’Lantern” in autumn and around Halloween. I am not sure if this nursery is the creator of these hybrids, or if they originate from elsewhere. Personally I’m limited in my search for more information about these plants due to not understanding japanese.
Seemannia ‘RF’s First Lady B’
Seemannia ‘Rigsby’B. Walker2016Seemannia gymnostoma × ‘262’
Seemannia ‘Rosie Mae’B. Walker2016Seemannia ‘313’ × ‘Purple Prince’
Seemannia ‘Booges Of The Woods’B. Walker2016‘200’ × ‘Purple Prince’
Seemannia ‘Pepper’B. Walker2016Seemannia gymnostoma× ‘239’
Seemannia ‘Andy’B. Walker2016‘261’ × ‘Purple Prince’
Seemannia ‘Progenitor’B. Walker2016Seemannia nematanthoides ‘Evita’ × purpurascens ‘Bolivian Form’
Seemannia ‘Mary Hambly’B. Walker2016Seemannia nematanthoides ‘Evita’ × purpurascens ‘Bolivian Form’
Seemannia ‘Melba Clendenon’B. Walker2016‘200’ × ‘Purple Prince’
Seemannia ‘Beulah Mae’B. Walker2016Seemannia gymnostoma × ‘239’
Seemannia ‘Little Red’John Boggan
Seemannia purpurascens ‘Purple Prince’John Boggan
Seemannia nematanthoides ‘Evita’
Seemannia ‘Red Prince’John Boggan
Seemannia purpurascens ‘Red Form’
Seemannia purpurascens ‘Belem’