Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, (2007) Author: Geoffrey Mwachala & Paul Mbugua
Names
Sansevieria fischeri (Baker) Marais [family DRACAENACEAE], in K.B. 41(1): 5 (1986); Thulin, Flora Som. 4: 29 (1995); Demel in Fl. Eth. & Eritr. 6: 80 (1997); L.E. Newton in Ill. Handbook Succ. Plants 1: 265 (2001). Type: Tanzania [Ostafrika], Fischer 9 (B!, holo.; K!, fragment)
Buphane fischeri Baker [family ], in F.T.A. 7: 577 (1898)
Sansevieria singularis N.E.Br. [family DRACAENACEAE], in K.B. 1911: 97 (1911) & in K.B. 1915: 222 (1915). Type: Kenya, Teita District: Voi, Powell 2 (K!, lecto., chosen here)
Distribution
KENYA Teita District Tsavo National Park East, Voi Gate–Sala Gate via Aruba ± 20 km, 17 Jan. 1967, Greenway & Kanuri 13056! & between Voi and Taita, 2 km E of Maktau, 16 May 1971, Pfennig 1019! & Voi, 6 Mar. 1953, Sheldrick in Bally 8592!TANZANIA “probably not far from Dar es Salaam (obtained through friends)”, 13 Feb. 1994, Mbugua TZ 20!
Notes
USES. Much liked by elephants (fide Greenway). CONSERVATION Least concern. The growth habit of this species is quite diagnostic in that it never produces more than one leaf at any one point. The banding, however, is very variable depending on whether it is in the open or in the undergrowth; the undergrowth specimens tend to be taller, narrower and dark green with distinct light grey bands whereas those in the open are shorter, thicker and light green to grey-green without any visible banding. It was observed, however, that some specimens remained banded and deep green even after being grown in full light for over one year. This phenomenon needs further investigation with more material from the wild. The inflorescence is described here for the first time. The syntype collected by Tompson and said to be from Uganda is actually from Kenya.