Sansevieria

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.

[6] The flowers of former Sansevieria species are usually greenish-white, also rose, lilac-red, brownish, produced on a simple or branched raceme.

Unlike plants such as agave which die after flowering, a bloomed shoot will simply cease to produce new leaves.

The genus name Sansevieria honors Italian scientist and inventor Raimondo di Sangro (1710–1771), Prince of San Severo.

is a conserved name in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, notwithstanding arguments that the author should be given as Petagna.

[16] Several former Sansevieria species are popular houseplants in temperate regions, with Dracaena trifasciata the most widely sold; numerous cultivars are available.

In Korea, potted sansevierias are commonly presented as a gift during opening ceremonies of businesses or other auspicious events.

As many cultivars are periclinal chimeras, they do not come true to type from leaf cuttings, and therefore must be propagated by rhizome division to retain the variegation.

[20] Sansevierias use the crassulacean acid metabolism process,[21] which absorbs carbon dioxide at night, although oxygen is released during daylight.

[22][23] Some believe that having sansevierias near children helps reduce coarseness, although care must be taken to ensure the child cannot reach the plant's poisonous leaves.