The first episode featured the letter "A" and included topics such as the African violet and aspidistra plants, the explorer Amerigo Vespucci, the astrolabe and guest Andrew Allan, a CBC producer.
DNA studies have shown that, despite not having a twisted fruit, the genus Saintpaulia (African Violets) evolved from within the Tanzanian Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella.
More than 20 endemic species of African violets (e.g. Saintpaulia teitensis) occur exclusively in that region and known endemic bird species are the Taita Thrush (Turdus helleri) and the Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis).