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Sansevieria zeylanica - (L.) Willd.

Common Name Bowstring hemp
Family Asparagaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards Sharp leaves.
Habitats Usually found growing among rocks in the drier areas of Sri Lanka[454 ].
Range E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Sansevieria zeylanica Bowstring hemp


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Sansevieria zeylanica Bowstring hemp
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Summary

Can be misspelt as Sansevieria zeylandica


Physical Characteristics

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Sansevieria zeylanica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Sansevieria zeylandica (misspelt)

Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The dried rhizomes and roots provide material for antiseptic ointments[317 ]. The roots are used for purgative, tonic, expectorant and anti-fever remedies[317 ]. The plant is used traditionally in the treatment of septic wounds[317 ]. Modern research has confirmed that an aqueous extract of the plant possesses antifungal properties[317 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaves[317 ]. It is used for making mats, sails, cordage, coarse cloth and the production of paper pulp[46 , 317 , 454 ]. Carbon Farming - Industrial Crop: fiber.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A succulent. Climate: subtropical to tropical. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[200 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7[200 ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200 ]. A good house or pot plant. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: minor global crop. Management: hay.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed. Division of the rootstock. Leaf cuttings. Cut the leaf into sections about 5cm long, place in a 2:1 mix of sand and peat in a propagating case with a bottom heat of 18°c[200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Ceylon Bowstring Hemp

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sansevieria hyacinthoidesAfrican Bowstring HempPerennial0.5 10-12 FLMSNDM023
Sansevieria roxburghianaIndian Bowstring Hemp, Bowstring HempPerennial1.0 10-12 FLMSNDM033
Sansevieria trifasciataMother-in-Law's Tongue, Snake plantPerennial0.8 10-12 MLMHSNDM023
Sansevieria zeylanica Bowstring hempPerennial0.6 9-11 MLMHNDM024

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(L.) Willd.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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