Ethiopian bowstring hemp
Sansevieria forskaoliana

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A succulent herb or shrub. It does not have an above ground stem. It has rhizomes. These can be 2 cm across.

Also put in the family Dracaenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry rocky places. It grows between 550-2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Central Africa, Congo, Djibouti, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan

How it is used for food

The roots are dug up and sucked.

Edible parts

Roots - water

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Biseka, Chiret, Kosar, Wende-kacha, Zaf

Synonyms

Sansevieria guineensis (L.) Willd. var. angustior Engl.; Sansevieria abyssinica N. E. Br.; Sansevieria abyssinica N. E. Br. var. angustior (Engl.) Cuf.; Sansevieria abyssinica N. E. Br. var. sublaevigata (Chiov.) Cuf.; Smilacina forskaoliana Schult. f.; Acyntha abyssinica (N. E. Br.) Chiov.;