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My tiny little plant of Sansevieria aethiopica is still in its juvenile form (which can be maintained indefinately by dividing the offsets and potting them singly).
If the plants are given space and allowed to clump up, they develop into the much larger mature form. Wikipedia says: "a species of succulent plant widely distributed in Southern Africa. Its binomial name—aethiopica—refers to its origins in Africa. A highly variable species, it grows in desert or dry shrubland (like many in its genus) and spreads rhizomatically. The leaves grow in rosettes and may be up to 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) tall. Genetically, this species is most closely related to Dracaena ballyi. In Africa, this species has been used to augment poisons for hunting and fishing purposes." Useful Tropical Plants say: "Sansevieria aethiopica is a succulent, evergreen, perennial plant producing long, narrow, erect or slightly spreading sword-shaped leaves up to 75cm long from a rhizomatous rootstock. The plant can spread to form colonies. The plant is harvested from the wild for the good quality fibre that is obtained from the leaves. The leaves are also used for local medicinal purposes." |
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| 14th September 2007 | ||
