| Protologue: |
Sansevieria Journal 4: 12 (1995). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
none |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for Frank (Francis) Horwood, a well-known British succulent plant collector and cultivator resident in the USA. |
| Distribution: |
The type locality was not specified for this species. It is thought that this species is found only at one locality in the Tana River Delta of coastal eastern Kenya. |
| Brief Description: |
This short, shrubby caulescent species with a stem up to 30 cm spreads with stolons. The stems typically are decumbent and the leaves (up to 40 per stem) are closely appressed and approximately 8-15 cm long by 0.3-0.5 cm wide, narrowed gradually to a 5 mm acute spine-like tip. The cylindrical leaves are roughened, spiralled in 5 rows, have a channel on the upper face for 1/4 - 3/4 of the length, and are dark green with lighter gray-green band and dark green lines on the sides. The leaves are dark green with grey-green transverse bands and 4 - 6 dark green longitudinal lines. The leaf tips are pungent, making this plant and its many leaves a little difficult to handle. The inflorescence is 25 cm tall and simple with 2 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This species, which some call the "pine-cone sansevieria", is unique, and it cannot be confused with any other species. |
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Sansevieria francisii in cultivation.
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A flowering Sansevieria francisii in cultivation.
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