| Protologue: |
Bradleya 28: 19 (2010). |
| Etymology: |
The epithet refers to the lateral branches of the inflorescence, which curve upwards (ascending). |
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Sansevieria ascendens L.E. Newton var. bhwirei R.H. Webb |
| Protologue: |
Sansevieria 40: 22–25 (2019). |
| Etymology: |
Variety bhwirei is named for Bhwire Bhitala, a Tanzanian lawyer and nurseryman who collected plants in the Tana River delta region of eastern Kenya near the town of Tarassa (Bhitala 1017). |
| Subgenus: |
Paniculatus |
| Group: |
Sansevieria ascendens |
| Distribution: |
This species occurs in coastal regions of southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania. |
| Brief Description: |
This caulescent species forms stands with numerous erect stems arising from rhizomes. The stems are unbranched, about 150 cm high, and may become decumbent with age. The spiralling and smooth leaves are spreading with a length of about 60 cm and a width of 3 cm when mature; the leaves are 1/3 to ½ inches thick at the base. The upper surface of the gray-green recurving leaves are channelled and narrow to a sharp, spine-like tip; the lower surface bears 10 – 15 dark green lines for most of the length. The inflorescence is up to 100 cm tall and paniculate with about 20 upcurving branches and 4 – 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Brief Description of Variety bhwirei: |
This dwarf caulescent variety of Sansevieria ascendens is smaller in all respects than the typical species. It occurs within the known range of the typical species as well. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria ascendens can easily be confused with Sansevieria arborescens and possibly Sansevieria powellii, which are all from the same region. The leaves of S. ascendens are longer than those of S. arborescens. The only certain way to tell these species apart is the flowering panicle, which has ascending branches in S. ascendens and not in the other species. Similarly, Sansevieria ascendens var. bhwirei could be confused as a dwarf form of S. ascendens or even with S. powysii, but the inflorescence is diagnostic and the stem is more elongated in variety bhwirei than in S. powysii. |
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A stand of Sansevieria ascendens west of Malindi, Kenya.
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A flowering plant of Sansevieria ascendens (Newton 5842) in cultivation.
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A ground bed with small plants of Sansevieria ascendens var. bhwirei.
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Sansevieria ascendens var. bhwirei flowering and in cultivation.
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