| Protologue: |
Sansevieria Journal 4: 9 (1995). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria suffruticosa |
| Etymology: |
Named for Eyl (or Eil), Somalia, where the plant was originally collected by John Lavranos and Frank Horwood (Lavranos & Horwood 10178). |
| Distribution: |
This plant likely has a narrow distribution on a limestone plateau in east-central Somalia west of the coastal town of Eyl. |
| Brief Description: |
This small, slow-growing species is acaulescent and rhizomatous, forming small clumps with 2-3 mostly prostrate leaves. The rough leaves generally are paired but a third may appear; they are cylindrical and distichous with a gutter on the upper face. The gray-green leaves are banded and mottled, up to 18 cm in length and 1.9-2.5 cm in diameter with a sharp tip. The leaf sides have up to 12 medium green longitudinal lines. The inflorescence is 34-cm tall, typically shorter, and simple with 2 - 4 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This species is rather distinctive within the genus Sansevieria and the Sansevieria suffructicosa group owing to its small size and coloration. Some cultivars bear slight resemblance to Sansevieria eilensis, especially S. 'Boncel', which is a similar size but more upright with darker-colored leaves. |
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Sansevieria eilensis clones connected by underground rhizomes in cultivation.
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Sansevieria eilensis in cultivation.
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Sansevieria eilensis flowering in cultivation.
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