Herbs, perennial, erect, from thick rhizomes. Leaves basal, erect; blade often variegated and mottled, elongate, thick, flat or cylindrical, rigid. Inflorescences paniculate, racemose, or spicate. Flowers bisexual; tepals basally connate into tube, white, yellowish white, pale pink, or greenish white, tips narrow; ovary superior. Fruits baccate. Seeds 1–3. x = 9, 19, 20, 21, 33.

Distribution

Africa, Sri Lanka.

Discussion

Species 60 (1 in the flora).

Many species of Sansevieria are used as house and greenhouse plants. Some besides S. hyacinthoides have reportedly escaped in southern Florida but I have seen no specimens.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Sansevieria hyacinthoides