| Protologue: |
Deutsch-Ost-Afrika Die Pflanzen-welt. Ost-Afrikas und der Nachbergebiete B 5(10): 364-368 (1895). |
| Subgenus: |
Sansevieria |
| Group: |
Sansevieria volkensii |
| Etymology: |
This epithet honors Dr. Georg L.A. Volkens, a German botanist and explorer of 19th century East Africa. |
| Distribution: |
East-central Kenya to northeastern Tanzania. |
| Brief Description: |
This acaulescent species proliferates with rhizomes, forming some small patches in nature. It has 2 - 7 erect or ascending leaves that are semicylindrical with a length of 45-122 cm and a thickness of 1.3-1.9 cm. The roughened leaves end with a whitish sharp tip and have a dull, deep green (becoming slightly bluish-green) color with faint or prominent whitish bands. The inflorescence is 20-46 cm tall and simple with 3 - 6 flowers per cluster. |
| Similar Species: |
Sansevieria volkensii is rather distinct within the genus Sansevieria, particularly given its geographical distribution. The leaf diameter is smaller than Sansevieria fischeri, and it lacks the longitudinal channels of Sansevieria canaliculata. Sansevieria brevifolia could be a dwarf form of this larger species. |
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Sansevieria volkensii at its type locality near Same, Tanzania.
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A pale, banded form of Sansevieria volkensii north of the Pare Mountains south of the Kenya-Tanzania border.
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Sansevieria volkensii flowering in cultivation.
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