| Protologue: |
Sansevieria 39: 25–26 (2019). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria volkensii
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| Etymology: |
The epithet refers to the short leaves. |
| Distribution: |
This species is only known from the Galana Ranch in east-central Kenya. |
| Brief Description: |
This is a short, acaulescent species that offsets with rhizomes. It has 3 – 6 rosulate and stout leaves that are erect and up to 22 cm long and a 2 cm wide at the base. The leaves are cylindrical with a central groove 15 cm long on the upper surface and up to 10 small grooves on the sides. The leaves are light green with bands of paler green. The whitish leaf tip is firm but more-or-less blunt. The inflorescence is about 36 cm tall and simple with 3–5 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria brevifolia could be a dwarf form of Sansevieria volkensii, a species with similar characteristics but much larger in all respects. Otherwise, no other species in the genus can be confused with this species. The original plants were collected by Gilfrid Powys (Powys 352). |
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Sansevieria brevifolia in cultivation. This plant has 9 leaves, more than the number discussed in the protologue.
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Plants growing from the original collection of Sansevieria brevifolia (Powys 352) growing in the late Gilfrid Powys’ garden at Suyian Farm, Kenya.
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