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How many Sansevieria species?

Dear Supannee,

In the last revision of the genus in 1915, N.E. Brown recognizes 54
species.

If we consider broader modern species concepts and species reduced to
synonymy in more recent regional revisions of the genus, the remaining
number of species currently recognized from his list drops to 41.

If we include the 9 species described since Brown's revision and the 6
distinctive taxa in cultivation that should eventually be named as new
species, the current number rises to 56.

The number is a estimate based on my informal species list in the
Sansevierias archives. (It has been revised slightly since originally
posted.)

Sansevieria - informal species list - part 1
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/sansevierias/dec98/msg00093.html

Sansevieria - informal species list - part 2a
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/sansevierias/dec98/msg00095.html

Sansevieria - informal species list -part 2b
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/sansevierias/dec98/msg00096.html

Sansevieria - informal species list - part 3
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/sansevierias/dec98/msg00094.html

Now this number does not include the many varieties, cultivars, hybrids and
variegates now available in cultivation. Including them would easily double
the number of different plants currently available.

Each species and variety can have a minimum of 8 different chimeral
variegate types according to Chahinian (1993) (Haseltonia 1: 45-54.). Only
a few have actually been made and most of them are of Sansevieria
trifasciata. The potential number of different chimeral variegates is
staggering.

Only a few hybrids are available. Hybridization is a potential source of
new cultivars that has barely been attempted in this genus. There is enough
variation in the genus in leaf size, shape, coloring and growth form to
create a wide range of new and interesting hybrid cultivars for the garden.

Cereusly Steve

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
•Subject: Re: [SANS] Sansevieria eilensis
•From: Supannee Webb
•Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 21:28:49 -0700
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Hello Steve, Tom and all,

           I have to admit that my poor old head spin around and
     around and around. Has anyone ever tried to compile the
     record or even come to a reasonable  conclusion as to how
     large is the sans as a genus?

     It is nice that the archive is available for all of us to
     access and it was an enlighting experience.  Tom,
     you are right it was very nice info. for us all.

                Annee       In the Valley of the Sun
                   USDA Zone 9    Glendale, Arizona
               http://www.users.uswest.net/~ankrara
                          Ankrara@EarthCorp.com
                              Ankrara@uswest.net
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