| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 233 (1915). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria parva |
| Etymology: |
The epithet refers to the small size of the plants. |
| Distribution: |
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. |
| Brief Description: |
This small, acaulescent species is rhizomatous and forms clumps. It has a short stem up to 12.7 cm high that usually is concealed by the leaf bases. There typically are 6 - 14 leaves in a vaguely rosulate configuration; the linear-lanceolate leaves are smooth, ascending, becoming spreading with age, and are 20-45 cm long by about 3 cm wide at the base. They are flexible and medium to dark green depending upon the amount of shade they are in, with vague bands of lighter and darker shades of green. The leaves have a channelled petiole about 5 cm long and a soft tip. The inflorescence is unbranched and up to a 30 cm high with 1 - 2 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
It is unclear whether Sansevieria parva and S. dooneri are separate species, or whether a combination is needed. Sansevieria parva tends to be more erect than S. dooneri, and its leaves are a more-bright green color. The leaves of Sansevieria dooneri tend to be longer as well. No other species in the genus can be confused with these two species other than S. caespitosa, which currently is not considered to be a valid species. |
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Sansevieria parva flowering in cultivation.
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Sansevieria parva in a vertical crack in basaltic rocks on the Eastern Escarpment of the Rift Valley near Nairobi, Kenya.
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Sansevieria parva at the entrance of the Boy Scout Camp south of Kampala, Uganda.
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Sansevieria parva near Lake Duluti, Tanzania (east of Arusha).
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