| Protologue: |
Sansevieria 26: 2 (2012). |
| Subgenus: |
Capitulatus |
| Group: |
Sansevieria scimitariformis |
| Etymology: |
The epithet, meaning "handsome", appears to refer to the entire plant. |
| Distribution: |
Sansevieria formosa is only known from the Kapichira Falls locality in southern Malawi. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent species typically has 1 - 2 leaves per cluster, sometimes more. The juvenile leaves are nearly prostrate, relatively wide and short, whereas the adult leaves are ascending and recurving. The smooth adult leaves have margins that are folded inwards to form a channel; without the channel, they appear to be somewhat flexible. The leaves are dark gray-green with faint to prominent banding and a reddish margin, and they tend to be 50 cm long and 5 cm wide with a blunt ("withered") tip. The capitate inflorescence occurs well above ground and is up to 21 cm tall with 2 - 4 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This is another species in the Sansevieria hallii complex with perhaps the most affinity to Sansevieria scimitariformis, another species with relatively wide and flat leaves. It differs from that species with its curving leaves that are somewhat folded. It also bears some affinity to Sansevieria bhitalae, which occurs well north in Tanzania, in the appearance and length of its leaves, but the leaves of that species are rigid. |
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Sansevieria aethiopica in habitat in southern Namibia.
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