| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 252 (1915). |
| Etymology: |
This species is named for Charles P. Raffill, gardener at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who looked after N.E. Brown's plant collection. |
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Sansevieria raffillii var. glauca N.E. Brown |
| Protologue: |
Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 5: 252-254 (1915). |
| Etymology: |
The varietal epithet refers to the glaucous blush of the leaves. |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria raffillii |
| Distribution: |
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. |
| Brief Description of the Typical Species: |
This broad-leaf acaulescent and rhizomatous species has 1 - 2 leaves that are erect or decumbent, lanceolate or lorate, and 68-152 cm and 8 cm wide. The smooth leaves are yellowish-green with closely placed blotches or irregular bands on a darker background, sometimes lighter on the lower face, and a slightly glaucous cast. They taper downwards to a sessile base or a short petiole, they have a short reddish-brown tip, and the margin is reddish-brown. The inflorescence is 90-115 cm tall and simple with 2 - 5 flowers per cluster. |
| Brief Description of Variety glauca: |
This variety differs from the typical species because the leaves are a glaucous bluish-green with distinct, but not very conspicuous, irregular spots or wavy transverse bands of lighter green. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria raffillii once could have been considered the most widely distribution broad-leaf Sansevieria in East Africa. Now, its distribution is known to be less widespread owing to the description of a number of other broad-leaf species, including Sansevieria conspicua, S. nitida, and S. frequens. The typically vivid patterning of Sansevieria raffillii differentiates this species from other similar ones in the region. It is unclear whether Sansevieria raffillii var. glauca deserves that rank or should merely be a cultivar. |
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Sansevieria raffillii near Mackinnon Road at the Mombassa Highway in southeastern Kenya.
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Sansevieria raffillii flowering in Tom Forrest's garden in Kampala, Uganda (photograph by Tom Forrest). The mottling on these plants is more subdued than for the typical species.
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Sansevieria raffillii var. glauca in cultivation.
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