Dracaena angolensis, synonym Sansevieria cylindrica,[1] also known as the cylindrical snake plant, African spear or spear sansevieria or in Brazil Saint Bárbara sword,[3] is a succulent plant native to Angola.
Description
Dracaena angolensis has striped, elongate, smooth, greenish-gray subcylindrical leaves. They are up to 3 cm (1 in) diameter and grow up to 2 m (7 ft) above soil.[3] The spear sansevieria grows fan-shaped, with its stiff leaves growing from a basal rosette.
The species is interesting in having subcylindrical instead of strap-shaped leaves caused by a failure to express genes which would cause the cylindrical bud to differentiate dorsoventrally or produce a distinctive and familiar top and bottom surface to the leaf blade.[3][4] The 3 cm (1 in) greenish-white tubular flowers are tinged with pink.[4]
Cultivation
The species is drought-tolerant and in cultivation requires water only about once every other week during the growing season.[4] The species can be watered once a month during the winter months. The species was described by Wenceslas Bojer in 1837. Dracaena angolensis (under the synonym Sansevieria cylindrica) received its common name from a competition in a Dutch national newspaper.[3] It is popular as an ornamental plant[3] as it is easy to culture and take care of in a home if given bright sunlight and other required resources.[4]
Gallery of varieties and cultivars
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