| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information Kew 5: 198 (1915). |
| Subgenus: |
Paniculatus |
| Group: |
Sansevieria powellii |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for Mr. Henry Powell, a British agriculturist who was Chief of the Economic Plant Division of Kenya in the early 20th century. |
| Distribution: |
This species occurs in eastern Kenya extending into southern Somalia. |
| Brief Description: |
This caulescent species spreads by rhizomes, forming dense stands. The stem is erect to a height of greater than 120 cm and a diameter of about 2.5 cm. The leaves are distichous to revolute with the opposing leaves becoming twisted around the stem. The slightly rough leaves are spreading, semicylindrical, 30-69 cm long by about 2.5 cm in diameter and about 1.2 cm thick at the base. The leaves are stiff, have a sharp tip, and are faintly glaucous medium-green becoming dark bluish-green with edge and having a red-brown margin with a white edge. The inflorescence is unbranched and about 46 cm tall with 4 - 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria powellii has similarities to Sansevieria arborescens and S. ascendens, but it is readily distinguished by its more-or-less distichous arrangement of leaves and their darker green color. It has been suggested, but not confirmed, that this is a natural hybrid between Sansevieria arborescens and S. robusta. Sansevieria disticha resembles some forms of S. powellii but with shorter leaves. |
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Sansevieria powellii near the intersection of Mackinnon Road and the Mombassa Highway in Kenya. This site is near the type locality, which no longer has undisturbed vegetation.
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Sansevieria powellii (WY 1065) in cultivation, propagated from material originally collected near Mwembeni Station, Kenya.
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Sansevieria powellii, a form attributed to the late Horst Pfennig with no collection data.
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