| Protologue: |
Sansevieria 41: 11 (2019). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria elliptica |
| Etymology: |
The epithet rugosifolia refers to the roughness of the leaves. |
| Distribution: |
Northern Tanzania centered on the Rift Valley with a probable extension southwards to central Tanzania as well as into southern Kenya. |
| Brief Description: |
An acaulescent and rhizomatous species, these plants generally have 2 - 4 leaves that are decumbent to ± upright, stiff, oblanceolate, and very rough on both sides. The leaves are 35-50 cm long by 7-11 cm wide with a blunt tip. The leaves have a central channel and fold inward when dry; the upper surface is a pale glaucous green with numerous scattered dark-green blotches, and the lower surface has a similar color with more prominent blotches. Indefinite striations occur on both sides of leaves but are more apparent on the bottom. The leaf margin has a fine white-red-green line that is slightly shredding. The inflorescence is about 55 cm tall and simple with 3 - 5 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria rugosifolia is part of the Sansevieria elliptica complex and as a result bears strong similarities to other species in that group. In particular, Sansevieria rugosifolia and Sansevieria forestii strongly resemble one another, and one of the major differences is the amount of roughness of the leaves (less in S. forestii) and the fact that they are well separated geographically. It is possible that one or both of these species should be reduced to subspecies of Sansevieria elliptica. |
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Sansevieria rugosifolia at the type locality of Ngare Nanyuki, Tanzania.
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A cultivated plant of Sansevieria rugosifolia in flower. This plant came from a collection made by Bhwire Bhitala at the type locality of Ngare Nanyuki, Tanzania (Bhitala 1008).
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A flowering specimen of Sansevieria rugosifolia, originally collected by Bhwire Bhitala near Lake Eyassi, Tanzania (Bhitala 1011).
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