The big DNA analysis of Nishii et al. (2015), in which representative species from across the whole genus and minor genera were included gave much greater clarity to the classification of Streptocarpus. The genus was subdivided into the two subgenera and 12 sections.
- Subgenus Streptocarpella:
- Section Carnosifolii
- Section Caulescentes
- Section Hova
- Section Parasaintpaulia
- Section Saintpaulia
- Section Schizoboea
- Section Trachystigma
- Subgenus Streptocarpus:
- Section Ciliatifolium
- Section Lignostreptocarpus
- Section Plantaginei
- Section Protostreptocarpus
- Section Streptocarpus
The two subgenera have certain distinctive characteristics. Streptocarpella species largely have verruculose (warted/bumpy) seeds and 15 chromosomes, whilst Streptocarpus largely have reticulate (netted) seeds and 16 chromosomes. The sections contained in these subgenera are described hereafter. For a full species listing, see Appendix 1.
In the Section pages that follow, species have been placed in Sections based on genetic analyses by Nishii et al (2015), or on morphological grounds as indicated:
* by Nishii et al (2015)
** by the present author, Dirk Bellstedt, based on new species descriptions after 2015