This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Somali Sansevierias and a revision of the genus

Somali Sansevierias and a revision of the genus.

Mats Thulin did admit "The present account [in Flora of Somalia 4: 28-30
(1994)] is preliminary and major field work on the genus in Somalis and
elsewhere is needed before a satisfactory treatment can be made. Most
species flower only rarely and for a short time, which adds to the
difficulties."

Our discussion has pointed out that all is not well in the classification
of Sansevieria. Despite the horticultral interest and agricultural use as a
fiber plant, no major revision has appeared since the long out-of-date
revision by Nicholas E. Brown in 1915.  There are difficulties in the study
of the genus but they are no more than found in most succulent plant genus.
The genus is not a very large one, there appears to be no more than about
50 good species. One does not get that impression from the large number of
plants grown, known only by collector's numbers, however. A thorough
revision should be a joint work between botanical and horticultural
interests. But, when was the last time an amateur grower has made a
herbarium specimen of a flowering plant?

Cereusly, Steve Jankalski
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index