| Protologue: |
Flora of Tropical East Africa: Dracaenaceae: 17 (2007). |
| New Combination: |
Sansevieria 20:20 (2009). |
| Etymology: |
The epithet commemorates Mbugua Itume, a Kenyan who is father of the first author of this species. |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria raffillii |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Kenya. |
| Brief Description: |
An acaulescent and rhizomatous perennial, Sansevieria itumei has 2 - 3, ascending-spreading, linear or linear-lanceolate leaves that are 25-31.5 cm long and 0.8-1.2 cm wide. The upper surface is concave and narrows slightly to the base, and the leaf gradually narrows above to a dull tip. The leaves are dark green with lighter green bands on a smooth surface. The simple inflorescence is 18-21 cm tall with 2 - 3 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
This poorly known species was first described as a subspecies of Sansevieria aethiopica, which occurs in southern Africa, and as such could be confused with it. Jankalski (Sansevieria 20: 20, 2009) regarded this as a hybrid, but there is no evidence for this conclusion. Newton (Sansevieria 34: 2-4, 2016) clarified the status of this species. Newton (Bradleya 36: 218-219, 2018) corrected the spelling of the epithet. It rather resembles a thinner-leaf version of Sansevieria raffillii with decumbent leaves. |
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Sansevieria itumei in cultivation.
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The inflorescence of Sansevieria itumei.
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