Definition of "gesneriad" []

• Any of numerous, mostly tropical herbs or shrubs of the family Gesneriaceae, including African violets, the Cape primrose, and gloxinia. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Gloxinias, known botanically as Sinningia speciosa, are members of the gesneriad family, as are African violets, episcias, achimenes, and many other popular houseplants."