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Sansevieria disticha R.H. Webb & L.E. Newton |
| Protologue: |
CactusWorld 40(3): 201-204 (2022). |
| Subgenus: |
Paniculatus |
| Group: |
Sansevieria powellii |
| Etymology: |
This epithet refers to the planar arrangement of mature leaves on the stem. |
| Distribution: |
Southeastern Somalia. |
| Brief Description: |
This is a caulescent, broad-leaf rhizomatous species that has a revolute juvenile form that grows into a mostly distichous adult form. The stem is 2-4 feet tall and mostly distichous, although some abrupt nearly 90 degree twists occur during growth. It usually has 2 lanceolate-oblong leaves 48 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. The leaf base is slightly narrowed, and the smooth green leaves have a few whitish bands or blotches and a soft tip. The leaf margin is red-brown and hardened. The inflorescence, which is paniculate, is 63 cm tall and is paniculate. The flowers are distinctive because of their tiny size and light pink color. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria disticha is not a well-known species, and it may be more variable in habitat than the protologue states. It appears to have juvenile leaves that are revolute and adult leaves that are distichous. The green color and height distinguishes this species from Sansevieria rorida (in the first edition of this book, we referred to S. disticha as S. sp. aff. rorida). It could be related to S. powysii, which is a taller, revolute species from the same region. S. powellii, another species with a distichous form, is generally a much taller plant with longer leaves. |
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Sansevieria disticha flowering in cultivation.
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