| Protologue: |
British Cactus and Succulent Journal 22: 11 (2004). |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for Dr. Peter R.O. Bally, a noted Swiss botanist who was resident in Kenya. |
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Sansevieria ballyi L.E. Newton var. robertsoniae L.E. Newton |
| Protologue: |
Sansevieria 33: 11 (2015). |
| Etymology: |
This variety is named for Ann Robertson, a British botanist resident in Malindi, Kenya. |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria suffruticosa |
| Distribution: |
Southeastern Kenya with a probable extension into northeastern Tanzania. |
| Brief Description of the Typical Species: |
This small acaulescent species spreads prolifically from stolons and branches freely above ground. The stolons can be 10-22 cm long or more and bear rosettes of 6 – 10 rosulate and spreading leaves. The very rough leaves are almost cylindrical and are roughly 12 cm long and 0.6-1.2 cm in diameter with a channel on the upper face from the base to 2/3 – 3/4 of the leaf length. The leaves have a sharp red-brown tip, and alternating bands of dark and light green colors decorate the leaves. The margins of the channel are red-brown with a narrow white edge. The inflorescence is simple, about15 cm tall, and has 2 flowers per cluster. |
| Brief Description of the Variety robertsoniae: |
The leaves of this variety differ from typical Sansevieria ballyi: with a lighter color and smooth surface. It occurs at the northern end of the species range. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria ballyi is a small species and resembles a miniature Sansevieria suffructicosa. That species occurs in the vicinity of the Rift Valley several hundred kilometers west of S. ballyi. Sansevieria hargeisana, a species from northern Somalia, is slightly larger but could easily be confused with S. ballyi. One noted cultivar, S. ballyi ‘Tom Grumbley,’ is widely distributed in cultivation. The leaves are as rough as the type but are paler in color, and it is unclear what its relationship is to var. robertsoniae, which has smooth leaves. |
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Sansevieria ballyi growing on Kasigau Mountain, southeastern Kenya.
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Sansevieria ballyi flowering in cultivation.
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Sansevieria ballyi ‘Tom Grumbley,’ collected from the late Tom Grumbley’s garden in Malindi, Kenya.
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