Dracaena angolensis

Dracaena angolensis, synonym Sansevieria cylindrica,[1] also known as the cylindrical snake plant, African spear or spear sansevieria or in Brazil Saint Bárbara sword,[3] is a succulent plant native to Angola. Formerly in the genus Sansevieria, it is now included in Dracaena.

Dracaena angolensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Dracaena
Species:
D. angolensis
Binomial name
Dracaena angolensis
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Acyntha cylindrica (Bojer ex Hook.) Kuntze
  • Cordyline cylindrica (Bojer ex Hook.) Britton
  • Sansevieria angolensis Welw. ex Carrière
  • Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer ex Hook.
  • Sansevieria livingstoniae Rendle

Description

Dracaena angolensis has striped, elongate, smooth, greenish-gray subcylindrical leaves. They are up to 3 cm (1 in) diameter and grow up to 2 m (7 ft) above soil.[3] The spear sansevieria grows fan-shaped, with its stiff leaves growing from a basal rosette.

The species is interesting in having subcylindrical instead of strap-shaped leaves caused by a failure to express genes which would cause the cylindrical bud to differentiate dorsoventrally or produce a distinctive and familiar top and bottom surface to the leaf blade.[3][4] The 3 cm (1 in) greenish-white tubular flowers are tinged with pink.[4]

Cultivation

The species is drought-tolerant and in cultivation requires water only about once every other week during the growing season.[4] The species can be watered once a month during the winter months. The species was described by Wenceslas Bojer in 1837. Dracaena angolensis (under the synonym Sansevieria cylindrica) received its common name from a competition in a Dutch national newspaper.[3] It is popular as an ornamental plant[3] as it is easy to culture and take care of in a home if given bright sunlight and other required resources.[4]

References

  1. "Dracaena angolensis (Welw. ex Carrière) Byng & Christenh". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  2. "Sansevieria angolensis Welw". The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  3. Thongthiraj, Rahpee. "Get Inspired with Sansevierias: The Perfect Solution for Your Home Garden". California Cactus Center. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-07-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. Lemke, Cal (2002-01-25). "Sanseviera cylindrica". Plant of the Week. University of Oklahoma Department of Biology and Microbiology. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
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