ISI 2012-26. Sansevieria kirkii var. pulchra ‘Coppertone’

This plant, with its rigid, wavy-edged leaves and mottled coloration, gives the impression that it has been hammered out of metal, even more so in ‘Coppertone’ selected for the coppery blush of the leaves when grown in good light. It is also more compact than other forms with leaves to about 30 cm rather than 60 to 100 cm long. The varietal name pulchra, meaning beautiful, seems particularly apt for this form. The specific name kirkii honors Sir John Kirk who accompanied Livingstone’s Zambesi expedition in 1858. He collected the species and sent it to Kew, where Baker described it in 1887. The variety is native to Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania. Divisions of HBG 60914, $12.