| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 6: 96 (1911). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria suffruticosa |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for its slender leaves. |
| Distribution: |
Coastal eastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania. |
| Brief Description: |
This short caulescent species spreads with stolons. The stem is up to 8 cm long and erect; the stolons are slightly ascending with a maximum length of nearly 90 cm and a diameter of 13 cm. About 8 - 12 densely spiralled smooth leaves are ascending or spreading with a length of 80 cm and a width of a 13 cm; they are cylindrical with a groove on the upper face for most of their length. The leaves are a medium green color, sometimes with inconspicuous narrow transverse darker bands and slightly darker longitudinal lines and end with a brown or whitish and sharp tip. The inflorescence is simple and about 30 cm tall with 2 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria gracilis is part of the Sansevieria suffructicosa complex and differs from most other species in that group because of its smooth, yellow-green leaves. On the other hand, Sansevieria gracillima from Somalia could either be a slightly different form of S. gracilis or its subspecies. |
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Sansevieria gracilis in habitat in northeastern Tanzania.
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Sansevieria gracilis flowering in cultivation.
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