| Protologue: |
Bolletino di Studi ed Informazioni del R. Giardino Coloniari di Palermo 4: 170 (1918). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria cylindrica |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for Eritrea, the country where it was discovered. |
| Distribution: |
Eritrea, as well as in neighboring regions of Ethiopia and the Sudan. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent and rhizomatous species has 6 - 8 erect, cylindrical leaves, each of which bears a short groove on the upper face and 5 grooves on the lower face. The generally dark green leaves tend to be 40-50 cm in length and 0.6-1.0 cm in diameter with blunt tips. The leaves are smooth to the touch with no margin. The inflorescence is up to 50 cm high and simple, elongated, with a dense fertile section and 3 - 5 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This species is similar to a number of cylindrical-leaf sansevierias, including Sansevieria cylindrica and S. pearsonii. It differs in its tendency towards a revolute configuration of leaves as opposed to the generally distichous (fan-shaped) leaves of the aforementioned species. Sansevieria burdettii is also similar in terms of leaf shape and it has a more revolute character. In addition, the leaves of S. erythraeae show little if any patterning or banding and typically are a dark green color. |
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Sansevieria erythraeae in cultivation.
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Sansevieria erythraeae in flower.
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