African Bowstring Hemp
Sansevieria hyacinthoides

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

Sansevieria hyacinthoides is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Dry karoo, bushveld or savannah, in well drained sandy or rocky soil.

Southern Africa - Namibia to Kenya and Tanzania, south to S. Africa.

Conservation Status: Least Concern ver 3.1

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

A decoction of the rootstock is used as a treatment against internal parasites. The plant is used as a treatment for fevers, toothache, ear affections and haemorrhoids. The leaves contain steroidal compounds..

Other

Rating: 3

A good quality fibre is obtained from the leaves. An excellent, soft, silky and elastic fibre. It is used for making clothes, nets, string, mats and for the production of fine papers etc. Attracts butteflies and birds. Good for pots and indoors. Industrial Crop: Fiber.

Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.

Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

A plant of the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 15 - 36°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,000mm. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Succeeds in most soils. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8. Established plants are very drought tolerant. The plant can spread freely at the roots. It is considered an invasive weed in Florida. Fibre yields of up to 2.25 tonnes per hectare per year have been recorded.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

It is considered an invasive weed in Florida. Included in the Global Compendium of Weeds (Randall, 2012).

Its other names

Local names

Common Names: English: bowstring hemp; iguanatail; mother-in-law’s tongue; snake plant. Spanish: lengua de suegra; lengua de vaca. Local Common Names: Dominican Republic: Espada de Santa Elena; Espada de Santa Teresa; Hoja de Santa Elena. Haiti: oreilles d’ane; safran; z’oreilles bourrique. Lesser Antilles: bowstring; karata; langue a chat; lash; sanddragon de cermitiere; z’oreille a bourrique. Mozambique: tchikwenga. Puerto Rico: chucho; cocuisa; lengua de chuco; sansiviera. Saint Lucia: lanng bèlmè; mother-in-law's-tongue.

Synonyms

Acyntha guineensis (L.) Medik. Acyntha thyrsiflora (Thunb.) Kuntze Aletris guineensis (L.) Jacq. Aletris hyacinthoides (L.) L. Aloe guineensis (L.) Jacq. Aloe hyacinthoides L. Cordyline guineensis (L.) Britton Cordyline hyacinthoides (L.) W.Wight Pleomele aloifolia Salisb. Salmia guineensis (L.) Cav. Salmia spicata Cav. Sanseverinia thyrsiflora Petagna Sansevieria angustiflora Lindb. Sansevieria angustifolia Baker Sansevieria ceylonica Oken Sansevieria fulvocincta Haw. Sansevieria guineensis (L.) Willd. Sansevieria laetevirens Haw. Sansevieria latifolia Bojer Sansevieria polyphylla Haw. Sansevieria rufocincta Baker Sansevieria spicata (Cav.) Haw. Sansevieria stenophylla Link Sansevieria thyrsiflora (Petagna) Thunb. Veltheimia guineensis (L.) Neck.