Achimenes longiflora The genus Achimenes belongs to the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae. This family includes well-known plants like African Violets ( Saintpaulia ) and Gloxinias ( Sinningia ). Unlike the rosette-forming African Violet, Achimenes are characterized by their scaly rhizomes. These modified underground stems resemble pinecones or birch catkins. The rhizomes allow the plants to survive distinct dry seasons in dormancy. This adaptation dictates their lifecycle in both the...