Sansevieria
| Sansevieria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sansevieria hyacinthoides | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Sansevieria Thunb.[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Sansevieria is a genus of about 70 species of flowering plants, whose common names include mother-in-law's tongue, devil's tongue, jinn's tongue, bow string hemp, snake plant and snake tongue.[2] It is often included in the genus Dracaena;[3] in the APG III classification system, both genera are placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).[4] It has also been placed in the former family Dracaenaceae.
Etymology
The genus was named in honor of Raimondo di Sangro (1710–1771), prince of San Severo in Italy. Spellings "Sanseveria" and "Sanseviera" are commonly seen as well, the confusion deriving from alternate spellings of the Italian place name.
Characteristics
There is great variation within the genus, and species range from succulent desert plants such as Sansevieria pinguicula to thinner leafed tropical plants such as Sansevieria trifasciata. Plants often form dense clumps from a spreading rhizome or stolons.[5][6]
Foliage
The leaves of Sansevieria are typically arranged in a rosette around the growing point, although some species are distichous. There is great variation in foliage form within the genus. All species can be divided into one of two basic categories based on their leaves: hard leaved and soft leaved species. Typically, hard leaved Sansevieria originate from arid climates, while the soft leaved species originate from tropical and subtropical regions.[5] Hard leaved Sansevieria have a number of adaptations for surviving dry regions. These include thick, succulent leaves for storing water and thick leaf cuticles for reducing moisture loss. These leaves may be cylindrical to reduce surface area and are generally shorter than those of their soft leafed tropical counterparts, which are wide and strap-like.[5]
Flowers
The flowers are greenish-white, produced on a simple or branched raceme. The fruit is a red or orange berry. In nature, Sansevieria flowers are pollinated by moths, but both flowering and fruiting is erratic and few seeds are produced.[5][6] The raceme of Sansevieria is derived from the apical meristem and a flowered plant will no longer produce new leaves. Unlike plants such as agave which die after flowering, Sansevieria will simply cease to produce new leaves. The flowered plant will continue to grow by producing plantlets via its rhizomes or stolons.
Uses
Rope and traditional uses
In Africa, the leaves are used for fiber production;[7] in some species, e.g. Sansevieria ehrenbergii, the plant's sap has antiseptic qualities, and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional first aid.[citation needed]
Ornamental purposes
Several species are popular houseplants in temperate regions, with Sansevieria trifasciata the most widely sold; numerous cultivars are available. The Chinese usually keep this plant potted in a pot often ornamented with dragons and phoenixes.[8] Growth is comparatively slow and the plant will last for many years. The tall-growing plants have stiff, erect, lance-shaped leaves while the dwarf plants grow in rosettes. As houseplants, Sansevieria thrive on warmth and bright light, but will also tolerate shade. They can rot from over-watering, so it is important that they are potted in well-drained soil, and not over-watered. They need to be re-potted or split at the root from time to time because they will sometimes grow so large that they break the pot they are growing in.
In Korea, potted Sansevieria is commonly presented as a gift during opening ceremonies of businesses or other auspicious events.[citation needed]
Other Sansevieria species are less common in cultivation. Another species is Sansevieria cylindrica, which has leaves which look quite different from S. trifasciata, but is equally tough.[citation needed]
Air purification
Like the Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans), Sansevieria species are believed to act as good air purifiers by removing toxins (such as formaldehyde, xylene and toluene[9]) from the air, thereby gaining a reputation as a good cure for sick building syndrome.[8][10][11] Sansevieria use the crassulacean acid metabolism process, which absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. This purportedly makes them suitable bedroom plants.
Feng Shui
According to feng shui, because the leaves of Sansevieria grow upwards, the plants can be used for feng shui purposes.[12][13] Some believe that having Sansevieria near children (such as in the study room) helps reduce coarseness,[14] while others recommend placing pots near the toilet tank to counter the drain-down vibrations.[15]
Selected species
Formerly placed here
- Reineckea carnea (Andrews) Kunth (as S. carnea Andrews)[17]
References
- ^ "Genus: Sansevieria Thunb". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
- ^ Mbugua, P. K. "Taxonomic studies of the genus Sansevieria (Dracaenaceae)". In L. J. G. van der Maesen, M. van der Burgt, J. M. van Medenbach de Rooy, editors (ed.). The Biodiversity of African Plants (1st ed.). p. 880.
{{cite book}}:|editor=has generic name (help);|format=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|origdate=ignored (|orig-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards), Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Nolinoideae
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ Chase, M.W.; Reveal, J.L.; Fay, M.F. (2009), "A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae", Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 161 (2): 132–136, doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00999.x
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|lastauthoramp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d Stover, Hermine (1983). The Sansevieria Book.
- ^ a b Chahinian, B. Juan (2005). The Splendid Sansevieria: An Account of the Species. ISBN 987-43-9250-9.
- ^ Kirby, F. Vaughan (1899). Sport In East Central Africa: Being An Account Of Hunting Trips In Portuguese And Other Districts Of East Central Africa.
- ^ a b http://www.about-garden.com/a/en/1919-sansevieria-trifasciata-snake-plant
- ^ http://www.plantcare.com/encyclopedia/variegated-snake-plant-1138.aspx
- ^ http://www.zone10.com/nasa-study-house-plants-clean-air.html
- ^ http://news.softpedia.com/news/Top-15-NASA-039-s-Plants-That-Can-Save-Your-Life-78345.shtml
- ^ http://www.fengshuipalace.com/fs101/faq.shtml
- ^ http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/houseplantPicks/sansevieria-cylindrica.shtml
- ^ http://www.womanspassions.com/articles/2149.html
- ^ Englebert, Clear (2001). Bedroom Feng Shui. Crossing Press. p. 143. ISBN 1-58091-109-9.
- ^ "Species: Sansevieria pinguicula P.R.O.Bally". GBIF. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
- ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Sansevieria". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
External links
- Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
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