| Protologue: |
Curtis's Botanical Magazine 85: tab 5093 (1859). |
| Etymology: |
The epithet refers to the cylindrical leaves of the plants. |
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Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer ex Hooker var. patula N. E. Brown |
| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 218-219 (1915). |
| Etymology: |
The varietal epithet refers to the wide spread of the cylindrical leaves. |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria cylindrica |
| Distribution: |
Angola, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. |
| Brief Description of the Typical Species: |
This acaulescent and rhizomatous species is known for its distichous, cylindrical leaves. The smooth to slightly rough leaves number 3 - 4 and are erect or slightly spreading. They are 60-150 cm long and 2-3 cm in diameter at the base, and they range in coloration from medium to dark green. They may be a solid color or marked with dark green bands, and the leaves taper to a whitish sharp tip. The inflorescence is 60-90 cm tall and simple with 5 - 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Brief Description of Variety patula: |
Variety patula has similar leaves but they are more divergent and spreading than the typical species. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria cylindrica is a rather distinct species that cannot be easily confused with others in the genus. Numerous distichous species in the Sansevieria ehrenbergii group, notably Sansevieria robusta, differ in terms of leaf color (yellow-green versus a deeper green), but these species have wider and more deeply channelled leaves. In cultivation, variety patula insufficiently differs from the typical species to justify maintaining its rank. The 'Skyline' and 'Skyline Light' cultivars have more vivid banding than does the typical species. |
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Sansevieria cylindrica flowering in cultivation.
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Sansevieria cylindrica var. patula flowering in cultivation.
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Sansevieria cylindrica 'Skyline Light' flowering in cultivation.
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