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Sansevieria rukwana Thunberg |
| Protologue: |
- |
| Etymology: |
Named for the region in Tanzania where the plants were collected. |
| Subgenus: |
Capitulatus |
| Group: |
Sansevieria kirkii |
| Distribution: |
Rukwa Region, Tanzania. |
| Brief Description: |
The acaulescent, rhizomatous, and clumping perennial has 2-3 leaves in a rosette. The dull dark green leaves are spreading, stiff but twisting, and 81 cm long and 11 cm wide. The smooth leaves are broadly U-shaped and lack a central channel, and both surfaces have lighter green blotches and transverse banding and up to 9 lineaments on the undersides. The leaf margin is red-brown with a whitish edge, and the tip is leathery and dull up to 2.9 cm in length. The inflorescence is 22.3 cm tall and capitate with 2 - 3 flowers per cluster and with long exserted filaments and style. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria rukwana clearly has an affinity to Sansevieria kirkii and possibly S. braunii. |
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Sansevieria rukwana in habitat (photograph courtesy of B. Yinger).
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Sansevieria rukwana flowering in cultivation (photograph courtesy of B. Yinger).
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