Dracaena angolensis
Dracaena angolensis, commonly known as African spear or the spear sansevieria, is a succulent plant native to Angola in Southern Africa. For years, it was placed within the genus Sansevieria, a specific name which is still used synonymously by some; in the 21st century, Sansevieria became part of Dracaena, after improved testing methods, physical comparisons, and other analyses found sufficient commonalities between the two genera to warrant subsumption.
The genus Dracaena is a part of the Asparagaceae —i.e., they are closely aligned with and related to such groups as the Asparagus, Agave, Beaucarnea, Chlorophytum, Camassia, Dasylirion, Hesperaloe and Yucca.
Description
Dracaena angolensis has striped, elongate, smooth, greenish-gray subcylindrical leaves. They are up to diameter and grow up to above soil. The spear sansevieria grows fan-shaped, with its stiff leaves growing from a basal rosette.The species is interesting in having subcylindrical instead of strap-shaped leaves caused by a failure to express genes which would cause the cylindrical bud to differentiate dorsoventrally or produce a distinctive and familiar top and bottom surface to the leaf blade. The greenish-white tubular flowers are tinged with pink.