| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 210-211 (1915). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
not considered a viable species |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for the spreading nature of the cylindrical leaves. |
| Distribution: |
Unknown but it possibly is from East Africa owing to its affinity to the Sansevieria suffruticosa complex. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent species spreads by rhizomes, creating clumps of more or less distichous cylindrical leaves up to an inch in diameter. The leaves number 5 - 10, are spreading and recurved, have a shallow channel along the upper face, and are slightly rough. They are dark green with obscure to prominent banding and mottling, are 37.5 - 75 cm long and have a whitish sharp tip. Lines and grooves on the sides of the leaves are distinctive and dark green in color. The inflorescence is simple and over 30 cm in height with 2 - 3 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Plants bearing this name clearly have an affinity to the larger members of the Sansevieria suffructicosa group, but significant differences prevent assigning this to an accepted species. In cultivation, these plants bear vague resemblance to Sansevieria erythraeae and S. burdettii, both of which are darker green in color without the lines and grooves of S. patens. Sansevieria cylindrica bears some resemblance as well but that is a much larger species with lighter-colored leaves. Jankalski (2006) suggests that plants in cultivation with this name could be hybrids without any relevant data to support this conclusion. |
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Sansevieria patens flowering in cultivation.
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