| Protologue: |
Bulletin of the Museum of Natural History (Paris) 9: 173 (1903). |
| Etymology: |
The epithet refers to the metallic sheen on the leaves. |
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Sansevieria metallica var. longituba N. E. Brown |
| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 247 (1915). |
| Etymology: |
The varietal epithet refers to the long floral tube. |
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Sansevieria metallica var. nyasica N. E. Brown |
| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 247 (1915). |
| Etymology: |
The varietal epithet refers to its occurrence in the region formerly known as Nyasaland (now Malawi). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria hyacinthoides |
| Distribution: |
Not precisely known but suspected in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and northeastern South Africa. |
| Brief Description of the Typical Species: |
This broad-leaf acaulescent and rhizomatous species is known for its dull dark green leaves with a metallic sheen. The flexible leaves are 1 - 4 in a cluster and are erect or, at least in the upper part, spreading or recurved. The smooth lanceolate leaves are 45-152 cm in length and 5 -12.7 cm wide, and they are narrowed from about the middle to a 10 cm (or much longer) petiolate base that is channelled. The upper surface of the leaves is marked with obscure irregular bands, and the lower surface is more distinctly marked with banding. The leaves terminate in a soft green tip, and the margin is green, becoming whitish or pale reddish-brown with age. The inflorescence is 45-122 cm tall and simple with 2 - 4 flowers per cluster. |
| Brief Description of Variety longituba: |
Variety longituba differs from the typical species on the basis of flower peduncle color and the length of the floral tube and tepals. |
| Brief Description of Variety nyasica: |
This variety differs from the typical species on the basis of length and color of the floral tube and tepals. |
| Similar Species: |
The metallic sheen on the leaves of Sansevieria metallica makes it instantly recognizable. Although this sheen does not fully appear until leaves are reasonably mature, the form of the leaf and its patterning also point towards this species. It is completely unclear whether the two varieties described by Brown are significantly different in their floral characteristics from the typical species to warrant their rank. |
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Sansevieria metallica flowering in cultivation.
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Sansevieria metallica flowering in cultivation.
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