On African violets (Saintpaulia) Goans in Africa, as also others would know of African violets, of the genus Saintpaulia. African violets are not considered true violets but we are interested here in color and thoughts (ranges from, yes white, to violet to pink) and not arguing with Botanists. A bit of a tangent on the topic of Color in Konk'nni (which may end up being a regular occurrence) but they have interesting names, which I looked up in my copy of Color, Why the World Isn’t Grey by Hazel Rossotti; from Princeton University Press. They are as follows:
Thistledown, Colette, Wisteria, Waltz, Erica, Pansy, Chiffon, Wistful, Veronica, Galliard, Fuchsia, Sovereign, Valentine, Rhapsody, Ballade, Empress, Ophelia, Wineberry, Capella, Nimbus, Turtle Dove, Highland, Mephisto, Charade The precise color/ values for many of the above may be seen via the Color Engine here, http://www.perbang.dk/rgb/337BCC/ More on Violets here: http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/morepopularflowers/violets Viole is the diminutive form of violet from the French violete. English got the word through the Latin viola in the 15th century. It is also presumed that its origins could be in a pre-Indo-European Mediterranean language. Perhaps someone enterprising can look into these unique and lovely names, or post anecdotes on seeing them, growing/raising them, gifting them to your gal, reading these names in poetry, about field-trips, etc. venantius j pinto