| Protologue: |
British Cactus and Succulent Journal 18: 132 (2000). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria cylindrica |
| Etymology: |
This species honors Anthony F. M. Burdett, a British biologist who collected plants while teaching in Malawi. |
| Distribution: |
This species occurs primarily in Malawi with an extension into northern Mozambique. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent and rhizomatous species has 3 – 6 distichous and slightly spreading leaves that are cylindrical with a groove on the upper face from the base as much as ½ of the leaf length. The dark green and smooth leaves are up to 90 cm long and 2.5 cm wide at the base. They have several longitudinal lines and occasional faint transverse bands on young leaves with a blunt tip. The inflorescence is 20-25 cm tall and simple with 4 – 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria burdettii could be confused with Sansevieria erythraeae, a species that occurs far to the north in Eritrea, but otherwise it is unlikely to be confused with any other species in the genus. The leaf diameter, color, and generally upright slightly spreading form distinguish this species from other cylindrical and distichous species from southern Africa, such as Sansevieria cylindrica and S. pearsonii. |
| |
| |
Sansevieria burdettii in cultivation.
|
