| Protologue: |
Cactus and Succulent Journal (Los Angeles) 94(3): 143-145. |
| Etymology: |
The epithet honors Alan Butler, a British citizen who served as the first chairman of the International Sansevieria Society. |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria raffillii |
| Distribution: |
South-central Ethiopia in the vicinity of Wachile. |
| Brief Description: |
The acaulescent, rhizomatous, and clumping perennial has 4 – 9 leaves in a rosette. The leaves are spreading, stiff, lanceolate, and 90-115 cm long by 6-7 cm wide. The widest part of the leaf is about halfway from the base to the blunt tip, and the leaf has a shallow channel. Both surfaces are dark green with numerous light-green blotches, and the upper surface is mostly smooth whereas the lower surface is roughened. The leaf margin is red-brown with a shredding whitish edge. The inflorescence is 90 cm tall and simple with 5 – 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This is a rather unique species owing to its height and stiff, upright leaves. The closest relative to Sansevieria butleri appears to be S. pedicellata from Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its affinity to Sansevieria raffillii is through its smooth leaves and numerous blotches, although S. butleri is a much larger plant. |
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Sansevieria butleri in habitat west of Wachile, Ethiopia (photograph by Boris Vrskovi).
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Sansevieria butler flowering in cultivation.
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