[SANS] Sansevieria by Marjorie Russell, 2

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• To: S*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
• Subject: [SANS] Sansevieria by Marjorie Russell, 2
• From: F* a* T* V* <v*@ACTRIX.GEN.NZ>
• Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 16:12:12 +1300

In Zimbabwe

A number of spcies occur but their taxonomy is not fully understood and a
study of related species throughout Africa is the only means of sorting out
the problem. The genus is widely distributed round the country. Four of the
species are:
1. S. deserti, with leaves in bundles, cylindric in cross-section.
2. S. aethiopica (S. scabrifolia) - rosette plant with linear-lanceolate
leaves, dark green with reddish leaf margins - about 60 m tall.
3. S. conspicua, with strap shaped leaves marked with transverse grey
bands.
4. S. stuckyi.
Mr Darrel Plowes writes that S. deserti grows on brak sodic sandy soils
usually with mopane trees, whereas S. conspicua grows in more rockly ground
(shale and dolorite) with mopani, grewia and combretum vegetation.
With the country at peace now maybe more work will be done on this species.
The common African name is mukonje, but it is also known as saramhanda,
konga and isikutsha. The Karanga, Manyika and Zezura name is mushayamhande.
Mukonje is also the sisal plant, so great care has to be taken not to be
led astray. The garden name, the unkind colloquial name, is Mother-in-law's
tongue.

Frances Verrity

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