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Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M. Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger |
| Protologue: |
- |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria volkensii |
| Etymology: |
Sansevieria bangalalana is named for Bangalala Ward near Same, Tanzania. |
| Distribution: |
Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent species spreads by rhizomes, creating clumps of shoots with 1-2 leaves. The slightly roughened leaves are up to 100 cm long and 6 cm wide, channelled and stiff with obscure to prominent banding, and have a whitish sharp tip. Lines and grooves on the sides of the leaves are distinctive and dark green in color. The inflorescence is elongated capitate and 18.5 cm in height, 8.7 cm in diameter with 3 - 4 flowers per cluster. The flowers have tepals that are green on the outside and white on the inside and become recurved after they open, and the filaments and styles are greatly exserted. |
| Similar Species: |
This species clearly has some unique characteristics together in one plant. The elongated capitate inflorescence is similar to the broad-leaf Sansevieria vanillosa and S. braunii, but the resemblance ends there. It has an affinity to Sansevieria volkensii, which grows nearby, but the elongated capitate inflorescence is a major difference. It is possible that this species, which was only found in one place along a roadside, is a hybrid of S. volkensii and an unknown species; alternatively, it could be a unique species that is now at least locally extinct. |
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Sansevieria bangalalana in habitat near Same, Tanzania (photograph courtesy of B. Yinger).
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View looking down on the inflorescence of Sansevieria bangalalana (photograph courtesy of B. Yinger).
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