Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. (Asparagales, Asparagaceae), close to extinction in the wild, and five other narrowly endemic and threatened species of Sansevieria from Tanzania previously unknown to science

65 European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1026.3113 europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu ISSN 2118-9773 2025 · Burkart M. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) Received: 16 February 2024 • Accepted: 26 August 2025 • Published: 12 November 2025 Topic editor: Frederik Leliaert • Desk editor: Radka Rosenbaumová Research article Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. (Asparagales, Asparagaceae), close to extinction in the wild, and five other narrowly endemic and threatened species of Sansevieria from Tanzania previously unknown to science Michael BURKART 1,* , Kened Alfred KAVULA 2, Immaculate Kileo CONSTANTINE 3, Neduvoto Piniel MOLLEL 4, Luciana Naftal PINIELY 5, Robert Augustino SIKAWA 6 & Barry R. YINGER 7 1 Botanical Garden, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 2, 14469 Potsdam, Germany. 2,3,4,5 Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority, National Hebarium of Tanzania, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania. 6,7 Tanzania Sansevieria Foundation, PO Box 278, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 4 Email: [email protected] 5 Email: [email protected] 6,7 Email: [email protected] Abstract. Six new species of Sansevieria are described from several regions of Tanzania, a country believed to harbour the highest diversity of Sansevieria species globally. Among these, Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. and S. chlorantha sp. nov. occur in the North Pare Mountains region in northeastern Tanzania. Our data indicates that both species are close to extinction now. They have only been found in two and one location, respectively. Sansevieria bangalalana has a unique combination of flower and leaf features that sets it apart from all other species in the genus. Sansevieria embere sp. nov. is solely occurring in a pocket of succulent vegetation within the city limits of Arusha, where our data indicates that it is critically endangered, too. This species and S. chlorantha have unbranched elongate inflorescences (subgenus Sansevieria), while S. bangalalana and the other three species have capitate inflorescences (subgenus Capitulatus). Of the latter, S. muhaensis sp. nov. was found in a restricted area close to the city limits of Kigoma in W Tanzania, where it is critically endangered as well according to our data. Sansevieria rukwana sp. nov. and S. sumbawangana sp. nov. occur in the wider Lake Rukwa Region of SW Tanzania. Their threat status is EN according to our data. The factors most threatening these plants altogether are construction works of roads and houses, and agricultural expansion. Keywords. Dracaena, Dracaenoids, East Africa, species conservation, threat assessment. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 66 Burkart M., Kavula K.A., Constantine I.K., Mollel N.P., Piniely L.N., Sikawa R.A. & Yinger B.R. 2025. Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. (Asparagales, Asparagaceae), close to extinction in the wild, and five other narrowly endemic and threatened species of Sansevieria from Tanzania previously unknown to science. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1026.3113 Introduction East Africa, the cradle of humanity, is home to many species of animals, plants and other organisms, with high levels of endemics. Despite extensive efforts dedicated to floristic inventories (e.g., RBG Kew 1952–2012), relevant parts of the flora remain insufficiently explored. This is especially true for succulents and other plant groups that pose challenges for traditional botanical collection and herbarium preparation methods. The genus Sansevieria Petagna (classified in either the family Ruscaceae M.Roem. or Asparagaceae Juss.) comprises leaf-succulent plants distinguished by their unique anatomy of water storage tissue, which confers exceptional resistance to desiccation, whether by environment or by a plant press (Virzo de Santo et al. 1982; Koller & Rost 1988; Schwerdtfeger 2009; Martin et al. 2019). Recent molecular phylogenetic work has proposed merging Sansevieria into Dracaena Vand., its closest relative (Takawira-Nyenya et al. 2018; van Kleinwee et al. 2022). While these phylogenetic analyses clearly support the monophyly of Sansevieria, they are inconclusive as to the architecture of the larger dracaenoid phylogenetic tree (Scharf & Burkart 2021). We therefore maintain Sansevieria as a genus of its own, both morphologically and phylogenetically well defined, in accordance with Brown (1914, 1915), Freiberg et al. (2020), and Newton (2020). Sansevieria currently comprises more than 100 taxa, with a significant proportion described within the past three decades (Newton 2020; Burkart et al. 2023). Most species occur in eastern Africa ranging from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to Somalia and Ethiopia (Webb & Newton 2017). Recent extensive studies in Tanzania revealed a rich diversity of taxa yet unknown to science or to the country (Webb & Yinger 2019; Yinger 2019, 2021; Burkart & Scharf 2021; Yinger & Sikawa 2021a, 2021b, 2021c, 2021d, 2021e, 2022a, 2022b, 2023a, 2023b, 2023c; Mollel et al. 2024). This paper contributes to the ongoing effort to put these new insights on taxonomically solid grounds. This task is specifically urgent given the rapid and widespread land-use changes currently occurring across Tanzania, including a strong expansion of agriculture to former scrubland areas, extensive industrial, road and housing constructions, new mining projects, and other infrastructural developments (e.g., Msofe et al. 2019; Sumari et al. 2020). Unfortunately, an unusual high percentage of these activities pertains to Sansevieria habitats, while plants of this genus are rarely found within Tanzania’s national parks and other protected areas, which generally lack habitats for species of Sansevieria (BRY and RAS pers. obs.). Therefore, we also include a preliminary threat assessment for the new species. Their conservation is urgently needed. Material and methods After their collection as living specimens, the plants studied were all cultivated in open ground beds at TSF on the slopes of Mt Meru, Arusha, Tanzania, at Seela Sing’isi village, elevation 1285 m. The soil is a fertile, finely textured, well-drained loam about 75 cm deep, over 10 m of volcanic grit. Temperatures range from 15 to 32°C, but the climate is mostly moderate and cool. Because of the frequent rains, the study plants were grown in screened wood frame houses covered with transparent plastic sheeting. We do not give detailed information, including geographic coordinates, regarding the original wild sites of the plants. Rare and new species of Sansevieria are subject to enthusiast collecting, or professional collecting to sell living material to enthusiasts, both putting additional threat to the wild populations which we want to avoid. Figure 1 is designed accordingly. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 67 Traits were recorded in as much detail as possible. The bracts on the inflorescence peduncle below the flower-bearing part are termed ʻpeduncle bractsʼ, those within the flower-bearing part ʻbracts of partial inflorescencesʼ; inflorescence morphology and terminology is treated in accordance with Budweg (2016). Colours were partly recorded using the RHS Colour Chart (Royal Horticultural Society 2015). Leaf surface texture was generally studied using a hand lens (12 ×, Eschenbach, Germany) under natural or artificial sidelight, in one case supported by macro lens photography (Nikon D200, AF Micro Niccor 105 mm 1:2.8 D). Flowering shoots were completely harvested and taken to the NHT lab for detailed trait recording. Measures of vegetative parts, inflorescences and flowers are generally based on one single flowering shoot which subsequently was prepared to become the type. Peduncle diameter was measured between the 1st and the 2nd bract, leaf lamina thickness in the centre of the leaf. Traits that were recorded at the type location in the field#, on living plants of the same accession (ex typo) in the greenhouse†† or on the dried type specimen in the herbarium‡‡ are marked as indicated here. Type specimens of all described species are deposited in the NHT; acronyms of herbaria follow Index Herbariorum (Thiers continuously updated). Living specimens ex typo are cultivated at TSF and POTSD. We checked all Sansevieria specimens deposited in the herbaria B, NHT, and NMK, which hold rich collections from the study area and were accessible to us. No corresponding specimens were found. All photographs were taken at TSF on cultivated plants by Elias Sikawa if not stated otherwise. Assessments of threat status were conducted according to the latest version of the IUCN guidelines (IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee 2024). Other repositories NMK = National Museums of Kenya (= EA herbarium) POTSD = Botanical Garden, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany TSF = Tanzania Sansevieria Foundation, Arusha, Tanzania Other acronyms BRY = Barry R. Yinger MB = Michael Burkart RAS = Robert Augustino Sikawa Results Class Equisetopsida C.Agardh Subclass Magnoliidae Novák ex Takht. Superorder Lilianae Takht. Order Asparagales Bromhead Family Asparagaceae Juss. Sansevieria currently encompasses three subgenera, i.e., subgen. Capitulatus Mbugua ex L.E.Newton & R.H.Webb (14 spp.), subgen. Paniculatus Mbugua ex L.E.Newton & R.H.Webb (13 spp.), and subgen. Sansevieria (75 spp.). The classification is based on inflorescence architecture. However, molecular-based phylogenies (Takawira-Nyenya et al. 2018; van Kleinwee et al. 2022) do not fully support this taxonomic concept based on morphology. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 68 Fig. 1. Map of occurrences of the species of Sansevieria described in this paper. The map shows the main water bodies, cities, roads, railroads and national parks and the regions where the species have been found. Red = S. bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. and S. chlorantha M.Burkart, Kavula, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov.; purple = S. embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov.; green = S. muhaensis M.Burkart, Yinger, Sikawa & Mollel sp. nov.; orange = S. rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov.; blue = S. sumbawangana M.Burkart, Constantine, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. The map basis was obtained from The Nations Online Project, https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/tanzania-political-map.htm. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 69 Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77370777-1 Figs 1–6 Diagnosis Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. is the only species of Sansevieria known presently that has capitate inflorescences and long, straight, bifacial (ʻflatʼ) but strongly inrolled leaves (Figs 2, 3A). The colouration of the flowers includes reddish brown, yellowish and greenish parts, which is also unique in the whole genus (Fig. 4B). The flower tubes are only 25 mm long, much shorter than in any other species of the subgenus Capitulatus, to which this species belongs according to its inflorescence type. Etymology Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. is named for Bangalala Ward, where this species was found. Type material TANZANIA • Kilimanjaro Region, Same District, foothills of the North Pare Mountains; 896 m a.s.l.; 14 Dec. 2021; B. Yinger & R.A. Sikawa YS 1026; on a strip of flat gently sloping land between a gravel Fig. 2. Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. at the type location before its destruction. Note the stiff, straight, mostly upright leaves that resemble those of S.fischeri from some distance although they are bifacial (“flat”) and strongly inrolled actually, not massive and terete (unifacial) like those of the latter. Photo: Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 70 road and a seasonal stream, probably inundated during the heaviest rains in season, growing together with extensive populations of Sansevieria volkensii Gürke, S.fischeri(Baker ex Dyer) Marais and scattered small trees, in an extremely arid area with a short rainy season; holotype: NHT [000001159]. Living specimens ex typo cultivated at TSF and POTSD. Description Rhizomatous herb, stemless, vegetative height ca 1 m, 1–2 leaves per shoot, forming loose clumps (Figs 2, 3B). Rhizome subterranean but close to soil surface (ca 0–10 cm), rhizome diameter ca 38 mm, inner cortex of mature rhizome†† light brown. Leaves upright, strongly folded longitudinally (Fig. 3A), very stiff, straight, blue green, slightly mottled, linear outline, to 1 m long or slightly longer, 60 mm wide, leaf base 73 mm wide, 19 mm thick, leaf adaxial surface forming a rounded to pentagonal channel from base to tip 7 mm deep at mid-leaf, adaxial surface slightly rough with light-dark pattern in transverse bands, margin pale orange (orange white 159 grp A), 1 mm long awn tip; leaf abaxial (= outer) surface with very numerous stomata sunk into the surface, with short to medium-long, nodose, straight to wavy, largely unconnected transverse ribs between them (Fig. 5). Inflorescence (Figs 3B, 4) on fully leaved shoot, capitate, axis 185 mm long overall, peduncle 93 mm long, 13 mm in diameter, grayed yellow, bearing 6 dry bracts ca 23 mm long, flower-bearing axis 92 mm long, flower-head 87 mm in diameter excluding anthers and styles, very dense with 3–4 flowers per partial inflorescence, bracts of partial inflorescences 7–15 mm long, 2–5 mm wide, herbaceous, lanceolate, without extrafloral nectaries. Flowers on pedicels ca 6 mm long, yellow green, without articulation; corolla tube light reddish brown, tip of buds green, proximal parts of lobes yellowish outside, bright white inside; overall flower length 36 mm, tube 25 mm long, lobes 11 mm long, 2 mm wide, diameter of closed flower shortly before anthesis 3 mm at the base, 2 mm at the narrowest point, 3 mm in the upper part, lobes strongly curling back at full anthesis (more Fig. 3. Vegetative features of Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. A–B. Type population. A. Wild grown leaves. Their flat but strongly inrolled character is clearly discernible. B. Basal parts of a mature plant. The plant bears an old infructescence, the rhizome is also visible. Shoots with two leaves like in the picture are rarely seen. C. Youth form of S. bangalalana from a rooted leaf cutting cultivated in a private collection. Note the fresh green colour of the leaves, their clear, transversal-oriented mottling, their openly u-shaped transect and the almost unpatterned, green cataphylls at the base. In many species of Sansevieria, new shoots from leaf cuttings or seedlings, termed youth forms, are different from new shoots emerging from fully developed rhizomes. Photos: A–B by Barry R. Yinger; C by Michael Burkart. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 71 Fig. 4. Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. with flowers; holotype, NHT [000001159], in cultivation at a TSF greenhouse. A. Young inflorescences. Note the capitate but slightly elongate shape of the flowering part and the very short peduncle. B. Same plant in bloom. Note the characteristic colouration of the corolla. Photos: Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 72 than 360°); filaments white, 18 mm long, filiform, anthers 2–3 mm long; style straight, white, 47 mm long excluding ovary including stigma, 22 mm exserted from tube mouth, stigma translucent, 1 mm wide; ovary yellowish green, ovoid. Fruits and seeds unknown. Youth form (young shoots from leaf cutting) different from adult plant, leaf transect openly u-shaped, colouration fresh green with transversally oriented, whitish patterning; cataphylls similarly green but largely unpatterned (Fig. 3C). Ecology and distribution Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. was only found at the type location, on a strip of flat gently sloping land between a gravel road and a seasonal stream, probably inundated during the heaviest rains in season, growing in dry bushland with small trees and extensive colonies of Sansevieria volkensii Gürke and S.fischeri(Baker ex Dyer) Marais. Taxonomic remarks Sansevieria bangalalana sp. nov. is unique in the combination of several features. There is no other species of Sansevieria known presently that has capitate inflorescences and long, straight, bifacial (ʻflatʼ) but strongly inrolled leaves. The leaf surface is outstanding and the colouration of the flowers is also unique, although difficult to describe, including reddish brown, yellowish and greenish parts. Figure 4 gives an appropriate impression. Last, the flower tubes are only 25 mm long, which is extremely short for a capitate-flowered species. From a distance, however, S. bangalalana sp. nov. is hard to distinguish from S.fischeri and large forms of S. volkensii which both are encountered regularly in the same region. Fig. 5. A–B.Macrolens photographs of the abaxial leaf surface of Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. in cultivation at a TSF greenhouse. Note the very numerous stomata (whitish dots) and the nodose transverse ridges between them. The size of the surface in B is about 1 × 1 cm. Photos: Bernd Weber. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 73 Fig. 6. Destroyed type site of Sansevieria bangalalana Mollel, M.Burkart, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. A. Search for S. bangalalana. Attendees of the 2nd Sansevieria Conference, Arusha, detect last remnants of the single population known on the road bank. B. Bulldozed remnants of S. bangalalana on the road bank among other plants. Photos: 27 Oct. 2023, Michael Burkart. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 80 S.raffillii S. pedicellata S. newtoniana S. embere sp. nov. leaves per shoot 1–2 2–6(15) 2–6(9) 2–4 rhizome diameter [mm] to 50 over 50 40–50 30–50 leaf length [mm] 600–1050 600–1400 860–1700 1000 leaf width [mm] 50–130 60–130 80–100(110) 94–120(to 142) lamina transect openly u-shaped flat rather flat flat to slightly u-shaped max. lamina thickness in central part of leaf [mm] (rather thin) thin 2 5 texture leaf upper/adaxial side smooth smooth? smooth smooth, strongly glossy in cultivation texture leaf under/abaxial side smooth smooth? slightly rough finely rough from loose punctiform elevations, dull to silky glossy leaf patterning distinctly patterned, lighter colour prevailing dark green with inconspicuous pattern mid-green with inconspicuous pattern distinctly patterned, dark colour prevailing inflorescence length [mm] 900–1200 700–1300 460–860(1240) 1172 peduncle diameter [mm] 13–17 4 12 15 peduncle bracts length [mm] 51–141 40–60 65–110 281 flowers per partial inflorescence to 5 4–6 to 6 (1)3–5(8)†† pedicel basal part length [mm] 2.5–4 (6–10)15–18 ca 7–9 5 pedicel upper part length [mm] 1.3–2 1–2 ca 0 0 corolla outside colour greenish white, slightly glaucous whitish green at base, white above yellowish to greenish length flower tube [mm] 26–29 80–90 45–48 64 length flower lobes [mm] 29–30 17–20 25–27 31 filament length [mm] 45 47 style colour white? white style exsertion [mm] exceeding filaments equal to filaments style length above ovary [mm] to 80 110 Table 2. Comparison of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. with similar species of the subgenus Sansevieria. The traits of the species compared are taken from the protologues (Brown 1915; La Croix 2004; Forrest 2014). Additional information regarding S. pedicellata was taken from Rulkens & Baptista (2009, Mount Zembe plant). BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 81 anthers and styles, dense, 1–3 flowers per partial inflorescence at the lower part, 3– 5(8)†† at the median and 1–2 at the upper part; bracts of partial inflorescences 12–21 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, herbaceous (not dry during anthesis), lanceolate, without extrafloral nectaries. Flowers on dark green, sometimes purple pedicels 5 mm long, articulated close to the receptaculum, corolla outside coloured yellowish to greenish, tube 67 mm long, lobes 31 mm long, 2 mm wide, overall flower length 98 mm, diameter of closed flower‡‡ shortly before anthesis 3.5 mm at the base, 1–1.4 mm at the narrowest point, 3 mm in the upper part; lobes strongly curling back at full anthesis (Fig. 12B); anthers yellowish to greenish, anthers ca 4 mm long, filaments filiform, 47 mm long, styles straight, 110 mm long above ovary, 47 mm exserted from tube mouth; ovary light green to yellowish, cylindric, apex truncate. Flowers opening in the evening, wilting in the afternoon. Fruits# small to medium-sized, surface glossy when unripe, covered with numerous rather large whitish dots, slightly rugose and orange when ripe, in all stages with several but small verrucae (Fig. 13). Seeds (Fig. 14) elliptical, 6–7.3 mm long, 5.7–6.7 mm thick, light brown, Fig. 10. Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. at the type location, Manyara Estate, Arusha, with numerous inflorescences after anthesis. The shoots are forming a very dense stand. It is not quite clear whether this population is natural or planted; if planted, most likely from plants formerly growing nearby. Photo by Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 82 with dull surface, hilum apical, elliptical, rather large, ca 5.3 mm diameter, brighter than the seed. Youth form (seedlings) slightly different from adult plant, leaf colouration lighter green with transversally oriented, whitish patterning (Fig. 15). Phenology The flowers open in the evening as in most species of Sansevieria, but last until the following afternoon, i.e., uncommonly long. Ecology and distribution Sansevieria embere sp. nov. has so far been found only in a pocket of succulent vegetation in Arusha City within extensive coffee plantations (Figs 1, 10). It is likely that this species was restricted to the area now occupied by the city and its once-vast coffee plantations, which are monocultures of coffee and Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br. This area is not especially arid, with long rainy seasons and occasional rains off-season. The soil is fertile and well-drained. Taxonomic remarks Seeds were studied from fruits collected from ca 45 individual infructescences all over the population at the type location with one fruit per shoot. Fig. 11. Two leaves of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. ex typo from cultivation in a TSF greenhouse. A. Adaxial side, B. Abaxial side. Note the margin undulation, the dark colour, the strong gloss of the adaxial surface, much stronger than in the population at Manyara Estate (Fig. 10), and the clearer colour pattern of the abaxial surface. Photos by Barry R. Yinger. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 83 Fig. 12. The impressive inflorescence of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov., holotype before harvesting (NHT [000001156]). A. Note the extraordinary long and slender, elegant ʻgestaltʼ. B. Close-up of a part of the inflorescence. Note the large, long-tubed flowers. The styles are straight, the corolla lobes strongly curled back. Note also the striation of the corolla outside including tube and lobes, adding to the elegance of this species. Photos: A by Barry R. Yinger; B by Elias Sikawa. Fig. 13. Fruits of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. at the type location, Manyara Estate, Arusha. A. Inflorescence after anthesis. Some flowers seem to have been pollinated successfully and start to develop fruits (lower part of the picture), while many others already dropped, leaving the basal part of their pedicel. B. One green and several ripe fruits. Note the glossy surface and the numerous large whitish dots of the unripe fruit. C. Ripe fruits. Note the small verrucae on the slighty rugose surface. The vast majority of the numerous fruits in the population were one-seeded. Photos: A by Barry R. Yinger, Aug. 2020; B–C by Michael Burkart, Oct. 2023. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 84 Fig. 14. Seeds of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. collected at the type location, Manyara Estate, Arusha, photographed on a 1 mm grid in artificial, yellowish light. Note the elliptical form, the light brown colour and the lighter-coloured hilum which is almost as big as the seed diameter. Parts of the seeds are still covered with endocarp fibres which are difficult to remove totally. Photos be Sarah Leonhardt. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 85 This iconic species in the subgenus Sansevieria is similar to S.raffillii N.E.Br. in overall size, leaf dimensions and posture, inflorescence size, and greenish flower colouration. It differs from this species, however, in having more leaves per shoot, darker leaf colour, leaves that are finely rough rather than smooth on the abaxial side, much longer peduncle bracts, and fewer flowers per partial inflorescence. Also, the pedicel relationships are different. Most striking, however, is the difference in flower tube length. Actually, S. embere sp. nov. is the species with the longest flower tube among all red-bordered flat-leaved species of Sansevieria with the exception of S. pedicellata la Croix, a plant from the border region of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, which is clearly different in many features (Rulkens & Baptista 2009; la Croix 2010; Table 2). The next in flower size in this group, S. newtoniana T.G.Forrest occurring in Uganda and adjacent N of Tanzania (Forrest 2014; Yinger & Sikawa 2021e), is different from S. embere in leaf colouration and stiffness as well as in inflorescence and flower features. An overview is given in Table 2. Several accessions similar to YS 0641 have been identified in the TSF living collection. None of these, however, has flower tubes longer than 30 mm, and several differ in other traits as well. They belong to other species, therefore, some of which possibly are undescribed yet. Tentative threat assessment Critically endangered: CR E. Fig. 15. Seedlings of Sansevieria embere Mollel, M.Burkart, Yinger & Sikawa sp. nov. representing the youth form. Note the transversal-oriented mottling, different from the dots of adult leaves (Fig. 11). The primary leaves already have the red-brown and whitish margin. Photo by Michael Burkart, POTSD. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 86 Residual fragments of Sansevieria populations are not uncommon in and around Arusha, but there does not seem to be another one of this species. At least, we could not find any during numerous excursions. It appears that the survival of this particular colony is intentional although no one lives nearby. There is only this single population known, with very limited spatial extent (less than 10 m × 100 m) and limited although conspicuous size, and without any legal conservation status, on privately-owned but publicly accessible land. We suppose that the probability of this single population to become extinguished is > 50% in 3 generations as it occurs within the Arusha City limits (IUCN criterion E), classifying it as CR according to our data. Sansevieria muhaensis M.Burkart, Yinger, Sikawa & Mollel sp. nov. urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77370780-1 Figs 1, 16–19, Table 3 Diagnosis Sansevieria muhaensis sp. nov. is characterised by its undulate leaf margins (Fig. 16), its very long, greenish bracts of partial inflorescences in the flowering head (Fig. 17) and the dark red colouration of the inner rhizome cortex. It is somewhat similar to S. kirkii Baker which also has a median ridge on the leaf abaxial side and similar flower dimensions. In S. kirkii, however, the abaxial leaf ridge is more pronounced and bears several lateral furrows from base to leaf tip which are completely lacking in S. muhaensis. Also, S. muhaensis has longer runners and a dark red rather than dark brown colouration of the inner rhizome cortex which is characteristic of S. kirkii. Further, the outside corolla pattern of S. kirkii is reddish to dark red, not grey as in S. muhaensis. An overview is given in Table 3. Etymology Sansevieria muhaensis sp. nov. is named for the Muha, the tribe associated with the area where this species was found. Type material TANZANIA • Kigoma Region, near the limits of Kigoma City; 803 m a.s.l.; 3 Mar. 2020; B. Yinger & R.A. Sikawa YS 0279; on termite mounds in sun; holotype: NHT [000001160]. Living specimens ex typo cultivated at TSF and POTSD. Description Acaulescent herb, rhizomatous, stemless, vegetative height†† ca 720 mm, 2 green cataphylls and 3–6 leaves per shoot forming a regular rosette (Figs 16, 18), longest leaf at intermediate position (neither outermost nor innermost) on individual shoots. Rhizome to 250 mm long, diameter ca 36–46 mm, inner cortex colour†† deep red. Leaves up to 900 mm long or slightly longer, to 85 mm wide, lingulatelanceolate, without petiole, moderately falcate to slightly twisted, with a median ridge on the abaxial side and more or less undulate margins (more so in wild-growing plants, Fig. 16), openly u-shaped and thickened, both surfaces smooth with silk gloss, patterned with cloudy blotches anywhere and cloudy transverse bands on some leaves, mostly in their middle and lower parts, the lighter colour covering ca 50% on both surfaces but appears stronger on the abaxial side, strongest on new leaves, with a few dark longitudinal lines on the adaxial side only which do not extend to the leaf tip, lamina central thickness ca 16 mm; leaf base ca 85 mm wide, ca 26 mm thick, margin lined reddish-brown and whitish, awn-like tip to 38 mm long, brown, stiff and almost sharp on new leaves, leathery and flexible on old leaves. Inflorescence terminal on fully-leaved shoot, capitate (Fig. 18C), ca 350 mm long overall, peduncle ca 290 mm long, 18 mm in diameter, medium green with purplish flecks or spots all over but white-pinkish at the base, BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 87 S. sinus-simiorum S. bhitalae S. kirkii S. sumbawangana sp. nov. S. rukwana sp. nov. S. muhaensis sp. nov. leaves per shoot 8–10 (?) 1(2–3) 1–3 / 2–88 2–5 2–3 3–6 rhizome diameter [mm] 50 50§ 20–42| 70 30 36–46 inner colour of rhizome cortex ochre‡‡ dark brown| brownish orange dark reddish orange deep red leaf posture erect to slightly recurved erect ascending-spreading to recurved‡ upright to spreading spreading to almost horizontal spreading leaf length [mm] to 1000 750 (400–900); 1000– 2000†† 750–2750 1000 810 900 leaf width [mm] 60 50–70 60–90(to 120|) 210 110 85 max. lamina thickness in central part of leaf [mm] 50 (massive) 8–14‡ 20 6 16 pseudo-petiole missing missing| existing‡ missing missing missing lamina transect massively u-shaped massively u-shaped| concave or flattish‡ openly u-shaped to almost flat flat but u-shaped openly u-shaped, thickened leaf margin rather straight rather straight| very wavy‡ somewhat wavy sinuate undulate median ridge on leaf abaxial side (massive) (massive) strong| missing missing existing leaf colour pattern inconspicuous to present yellow-green mottling from prominent to very faint mottled or transversely banded almost missing adaxial cloudy, abaxial transverse bands cloudy blotches and transverse bands state of flowering shoot often lateral, bearing only cataphylls and bracts† fully-leaved fully-leaved fully-leaved fully-leaved peduncle length (base to lowermost pedicel) [mm] 290 ca 300 to ca 500 300 163 290 peduncle diameter [mm] 15 15 13‡ / 15| 20 20 18 peduncle bracts 6“3 pairs”§ 5–6‡ 7 4 8 peduncle bracts length [mm] 32–35 30 / 60 (“Superclone”)§ 50–77‡ to 78 46–114 to 116 Table 3 (continued on next page). Comparison of Sansevieria sumbawangana M.Burkart, Constantine, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov., S. rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. and S. muhaensis M.Burkart, Yinger, Sikawa & Mollel sp. nov. with similar species of the subgenus Capitulatus Mbugua ex L.E.Newton & R.H.Webb. The traits of the species compared are taken from Newton (2020) if not stated otherwise: † = from TSF; ‡ = from Brown (1915); § = from the protologue (Webb & Newton 2018); | = from POTSD. ¶ = style length including ovary. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 88 S. sinus-simiorum S. bhitalae S. kirkii S. sumbawangana sp. nov. S. rukwana sp. nov. S. muhaensis sp. nov. flowers per partial inflorescence 2–3 / 4–6 (“Superclone ”)§ 2–4‡ 2–3 2–3 4 length of bract of partial infl. [mm] 4–8 to 16 / to 30 (“Superclone”)§ 25–38 25–30 17–23 33–42 width of bract of partial infl. [mm] 2–4 to 5 8.5–19 7–14 7–12 5–9 shape of bract of partial infl. broadly ovate ovate or oblong-ovate, acute or subobtuse lanceolate-elliptic lanceolateelliptic lanceolate, rather shortly tapering to a short sharp point pedicel length [mm] 6 (to 16?) 6.4–10.5 10 10 9 corolla outside colour white tinged with green tube white to lilac with purple blush, lobes white with a pink stripe§ tube pale, purplish or dull pink, lobes white tinged with green‡ yellow green greenish white greyish, greenish tip length flower tube [mm] 82–97 75 114–127(to 137|) 90 100 117 length flower lobes [mm] 19–21 28 32–45 32 33 36 style length above ovary [mm] 126¶ 100 162| 115 123 155 Table 3 (continued). Comparison of Sansevieria sumbawangana M.Burkart, Constantine, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov., S. rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. and S. muhaensis M.Burkart, Yinger, Sikawa & Mollel sp. nov. with similar species of the subgenus Capitulatus Mbugua ex L.E.Newton & R.H.Webb. The traits of the species compared are taken from Newton (2020) if not stated otherwise: † = from TSF; ‡ = from Brown (1915); § = from the protologue (Webb & Newton 2018); | = from POTSD. ¶ = style length including ovary. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 89 patterned with tiny dots and lines, with 8 peduncle bracts to 116 mm long but without hypsophylls, the lowermost with elongate tips, the upper only short-tipped, bases always shell-like, pale greenish with a few to many small dark dots when young, enveloping the flower-head in its first developmental stages, Fig. 16. Sansevieria muhaensis M.Burkart, Yinger, Sikawa & Mollel sp. nov. in the wild. YS 0279, from which the holotype NHT [000001160] was harvested, was collected from this population. Note the clearly but heterogeneously patterned, lingulate-lanceolate leaves with undulate margins. Photo by Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 96 Fig. 23. Green, unripe berries of Sansevieria sumbawangana M.Burkart, Constantine, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. at the holotype location, Rukwa Region, Tanzania. The conspicuous protrusions on the distal fruit parts are clearly visible. Photo by Barry R. Yinger. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 97 with lighter tiny dots and lines, bearing 7 bracts to 78 mm long; some bracts dry, the fresh ones coloured greyish purple; flowering part 85 mm long, flowering head 236 mm in diameter excluding anthers and styles, very dense, 2–3 flowers per partial inflorescence; bracts of partial inflorescences 25–30 × 7–14 mm, herbaceous, lanceolate-elliptic, oneto fivebut mostly three-nerved, no extrafloral nectar seen on them. Flowers large, longitudinally striate, on inarticulate, green pedicels 10 mm long, corolla outside coloured yellow green with brown dots on the tube, lobes coloured white inside, tube 90 mm long, lobes 32 mm long, overall flower length 122 mm, tube 3 mm wide at the narrowest point, 4 mm across the ovary, 5 mm across the distal part of closed flowers shortly before anthesis, inner lobes 3 mm, outer lobes 4 mm wide, all strongly curling back at anthesis, closed anthers 5 mm long, open anthers 4 mm long, filaments thread-like (not flattened), 36 mm long, style straight, 115 mm long excluding ovary, 38 mm exsert, i.e., 2 mm exceeding the filaments. Flowers opening at dusk, wilting in the morning, self sterile. Fruits (only seen unripe#, Fig. 23) rugose and with protrusions at their distal ends. Seeds unknown. Ecology and distribution There are presently two locations only where this species has been collected, including the type location. These are in the Rukwa and Mbeya regions, respectively, both in SW of Tanzania (Fig. 1). The site of YS 0930 was on rocky slopes and in ravines under a largely closed canopy of trees and shrubs, which would completely shade the plants during the rainy season, but at the time of the visit at the height of the dry season let in plenty of light (Fig. 24). YS 0317 was collected in a strongly conversed area on a Fig. 24. The population of Sansevieria sumbawangana M.Burkart, Constantine, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov., paratype location from where YS 0930 was collected. The picture was taken at the peak of the dry season on 6 Dec. 2021, Mbeya Region, Mbozi District, Tanzania. In the wet season those plants would be under dense shade. Photo by Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 98 termite mound beside a recently built house (Yinger & Sikawa 2023c: fig. 19). Both sites are at rather high elevations, 1850 resp. 1612 m. Taxonomic remarks We are not aware of any species in the subgenus Capitulatus, to which this species clearly belongs, that appears to be closely related to S. sumbawangana sp. nov. A comparison with S. kirkii, S. bhitalae R.H.Webb & L.E.Newton and S. sinus-simiorum Chahin., the only other species of the subgenus Capitulatus that are similar in overall size, is given in Table 3. The bracts of partial inflorescences of capitate Sansevierias often have several nerves (e.g., S. kirkii, S.fischeri, S. bhitalae), as is the case in S. sumbawangana sp. nov. Species from the other subgenera mostly have single-nerved bracts (but see, e.g., S. rosulata T.G.Forrest; Forrest 2017). Tentative threat assessment Endangered: EN D. The type location of this species is in an area that has been almost completely converted to agriculture and housing estates. There is almost no natural vegetation remaining in the area, although quite a few termite mounds remained. The plants there were persisting beside a termite mound close to several houses. Although we searched the surrounding area, we did not see any other plants of this species. There are three plants remaining at the type location. We saw more plants in an area that is mostly undisturbed, on rocky slopes and in ravines within the drainage of Lake Rukwa (collected under YS 0930). Although it is risky to do a field identification without flowers, we believe that we have seen at least two more colonies in the vicinity of Lake Rukwa, comprising at least 200 plants. Although this area is not formally protected, it does not seem to be immediately threatened. The location and topography make it an unlikely site for farming or housing. Regarding these circumstances, the appropriate category of threat for S. sumbawangana sp. nov. is EN (IUCN criterion D, < 250 mature individuals) according to our data. Parts of the side of the lake opposite where we found our collection are already within a reserve that might become part of an expanded national park. Its vegetation is quite different from the west side; there was only S. bhitalae s. lat. found. In the TSF living collection there are several plants from other locations which, based on their foliage, might belong to this species, but they have not flowered yet. This option can lead to a reduction in the threat status of S. sumbawangana sp. nov. Sansevieria rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77370782-1 Figs 1, 25–27, Table 3 Diagnosis Sansevieria rukwana sp. nov. seems to be similar to S. kirkii, but the leaves in S. rukwana are shorter and wider, lacking a pseudo-petiole as well as a strong ridge on the abaxial side but showing a silky gloss on both sides, characters different from that in S. kirkii. Also, the rhizome inner cortex is orange instead of brown as in S. kirkii, the peduncle, the bracts of the partial inflorescences and the styles all are shorter, and the flower odour is different in S. rukwana. The capitate but slightly elongate inflorescence (or its remnants, Fig. 25B) is typical for S. rukwana and indicates that it belongs to the subgenus Capitulatus. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 99 Fig. 25. Sansevieria rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov. in nature, the population where YS 0925 was collected from. A. The plant shows the typical habit of members of the S. kirkii group with very short runners resulting in dense clumps of shoots. B. Old infructescence. Note its capitate but slightly elongate shape. The colour pattern of the leaf abaxial surface is clearly visible. During dry seasons, the leaves may be strongly inrolled, as seen in the picture. Photos by Barry R. Yinger. European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 100 Fig. 26. Sansevieria rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov.; holotype plant YS 0925 (NHT [000001157]) in the TSF greenhouse with developing inflorescence. Pattern and gloss of leaf adaxial surface are clearly visible. Photo by Elias Sikawa. Fig. 27. Sansevieria rukwana M.Burkart, Piniely, Sikawa & Yinger sp. nov.; holotype plant YS 0925 (NHT [000001157]) in early bloom. A. The open flowers begin to wilt in the morning. The pinkish lines on the flower tubes and lobes are clearly visible on the buds. B. The same inflorescence seen from above. Photos by Elias Sikawa. BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 101 Etymology Sansevieria rukwana sp. nov. is named for Rukwa Region where this species is found. Type material TANZANIA • Rukwa Region; 1039 m a.s.l.; 19 Oct. 2021; B. Yinger & R.A. Sikawa YS 0925; holotype: NHT [000001157]. Living specimens ex typo cultivated at TSF and POTSD. Description Acaulescent herb, rhizomatous, vegetative height to 1600 mm††, to 620 mm#, 2–3 leaves per shoot. Rhizome belowground, ca 30 mm in diameter, forming short runners, colour of inner cortex dark reddish orange 172B. Leaves (Figs 25A, 26) pointing to all directions, upright to spreading to almost horizontal, stiff but twistable, to 1600 mm long, to 110 mm wide, oblanceolate, slightly twisted, petiole missing, leaf base ca 21 mm wide, central lamina thickness 6 mm, basal thickness 16 mm, flat but u-shaped in cross-section, without a pronounced ridge on the abaxial side, surface very smooth on the adaxial side, smooth on the abaxial side, both sides with silk gloss†† and a heavy, conspicuous glaucous bloom; colour pattern distinct on the adaxial side, cloudy, without dark longitudinal lines, pattern less prominent on the abaxial side, forming transverse bands, lighter and darker parts 50 : 50, with up to 9 dark longitudinal lines, colour pattern in older leaves weaker than in young ones; margin sinuate, red-brown and whitish; leaf tip leathery, to 29 mm long. Inflorescence (Figs 26–27) terminal on fully leaved shoots, capitate, 223 mm long; peduncle 163 mm long, 20 mm thick, patterned with small dots and lines, dark greyish reddish brown 200A, with 4 bracts; peduncle bracts 46–114 mm long, dry at anthesis, light olive 152B; flower-bearing part of axis 60 mm long, flowering head 135 mm in diameter excluding anthers and styles, dense, 2–3 flowers per partial inflorescence, less in the uppermost part, 201 flowers counted on one head; bracts of partial inflorescences 17–23 mm long, 7–12 mm wide, herbaceous (not dry), lanceolate-elliptic, with up to 5 nerves, without extrafloral nectaries; pedicels inarticulate, 10 mm long, light olive 152A, wilted flowers not dropping. Flowers with flowery but astringent odour, greenish white 155C outside, wilted greyish yellow green 148C, with some pinkish striation most prominent on young buds (Fig. 27A), 133 mm long overall; tube 100 mm long; lobes 33 mm long, inner lobes 4 mm wide, outer lobes 3 mm wide, strongly to intermediately curled back at anthesis; filaments greenish white 155C, 31 mm long, thread-like; anthers 4 mm long, strong yellow green 144C; style white, straight, 123 mm long above ovary, 45 mm exsert from tube mouth; stigma 1.5 mm wide, white; ovary ovoid with truncate apex, strong yellow green 144C; infructescence capitate but slightly elongate#. Fruits and seeds unknown. Ecology and distribution This species was collected only once in an area of steep wooded ravines and rocky slopes above streams within the Lake Rukwa drainage area. Although much of this area is still intact forest, the location of this collection was in a partially disturbed area where tree cover was mostly removed. Taxonomic remarks Sansevieria rukwana sp. nov. is superficially similar to S. kirkii. An overview of the differences is given in the diagnosis above and also in Table 3. Sansevieria kirkii is relatively widespread in Indian Ocean coastal lowlands, far away from the small and restricted W Tanzanian realm of S. rukwana. Although many records exist from a wide geographical scene that claim to be S. kirkii, they lack true confirmation of their taxonomic identity. Moreover, the proper taxonomy of S. kirkii var. kirkii and var. pulchra N.E.Br. is still unresolved (Newton 2020; MB and U. Scharf, pers. obs.). European Journal of Taxonomy 1026: 65–106 (2025) 102 Tentative threat assessment Endangered: EN D. We found what we are certain is this species only once in a mostly undisturbed area. The colony that we saw is about 150 plants. This area is very difficult to navigate and there are vast areas of similar topography there. We saw a number of other plants of Sansevieria there, but nothing with the distinctive infructescence remnant of S. rukwana sp. nov. (Fig. 25B). This area was under no obvious immediate threat because of its steep rocky topography, but recently, a mine for iron ore has been proposed very close to the type location; in two days of surveying this area, no other colonies were seen. Based strictly on what we have observed, its threat status is EN (criterion D, < 250 mature individuals), although the situation might change drastically if mining begins. Discussion Additionally to providing detailed holotype information, we also indicate the institutions currently maintaining living plants of the type accessions. In Sansevieria, living plants are extremely helpful for reliable species identifications (Brown 1915; Pfennig 1981; la Croix 2005; Burkart & Scharf 2021). We therefore recommend to include such information in all future species descriptions of this genus. The Sansevieria collection at POTSD is designed to serve as a repository for living ex typo plants. Subgenus Sansevieria Sansevieria chlorantha sp. nov. can be compared to several morphologically similar species, including S.raffilliiN.E.Br., S. enchiridiofolia R.H.Webb & L.E.Newton, S. rugosifolia R.H.Webb & L.E.Newton and S. lunatifolia L.E.Newton (Table 1). These species share several key traits and also occur in the Kenyan-Tanzanian border region. They all have a light-brown rhizome cortex, more or less lanceolate, patterned, rigid to very stiff leaves largely without a petiole and with a reddish-brown and whitish, rather straight margin; all are medium sized to large and have more or less dense inflorescences. Nevertheless, numerous distinguishing features are evident (Table 1), most notably the number of leaves per shoot, the lamina thickness, the inflorescence length and the flower odour and colouration. Sansevieria embere sp. nov., though somewhat similar to the group above, differs in its extraordinary flower size. However, its comparison with the other large-flowered species of the subgenus Sansevieria, S. pedicellata la Croix and S. newtoniana T.G.Forrest, shows many clear differences in floral as well as in vegetative traits (Table 2). Overall, S. embere is a plant adapted to drought, as its leaf features indicate, whereas S. pedicellata and S. newtoniana seem to prefer more mesic sites with rainfall throughout most of the year, which is mirrored in their leaf features. Also, the geographic distances to the next known occurrences of these species are substantial. Subgenus Capitulatus The four newly described species within the subgenus Capitulatus are each clearly distinct from all other known members of the group. This applies most clearly to S. bangalalana sp. nov. It is the only capitulate species known that has flat but inrolled or folded leaves, and it has a much shorter corolla tube than all others within the subgenus. Additionally, it has a unique corolla colouration not known before in the entire genus Sansevieria. As a consequence, there is no species with which it could be meaningfully compared. Sansevieria sumbawangana sp. nov., S. rukwana sp. nov. and S. muhaensis sp. nov. might be compared with other large members of the subgenus that have more or less flat leaves, i.e., S. kirkii Baker, S. bhitalae R.H.Webb & L.E.Newton and S. sinus-simiorum Chahin. (Table 3). More flat-leaved species of Capitulatus occur south of the Tanzanian border but are distinctly smaller with leaves only around 0.5 m long or slightly longer, not around 1 m as in our cases. Sansevieria bhitalae and S. sinus-simiorum are easily BURKART M. et al., Six new species of Sansevieria (Asparagales, Asparagaceae) 103 distinguished from all three new species under discussion here by their massive, erect leaves; they also have somewhat smaller flowers. Sansevieria kirkii is the only known species with similar leaves, but they possess a distinct abaxial ridge very characteristic for S. kirkii which is completely lacking both in S. sumbawangana and S. rukwana; it is also present in the leaves of S. muhaensis, although in a much weaker condition than in S. kirkii. Sansevieria muhaensis, however, has a dark red colouration of its inner rhizome cortex, unlike S. kirkii in which it is dark brown, and is also different in runner length, dimensions of the bracts of partial inflorescences, flower colour, and several leaf details. Sansevieria sumbawangana and S. rukwana have their rhizome cortex orange-coloured. Sansevieria sumbawangana further has much wider leaves than any other member of the subgenus Capitulatus. Further comparative details are provided in Table 3. In recent decades, the importance of molecular approaches such as DNA barcoding and next-generation sequencing as tools in plant taxonomy has strongly increased (Soltis et al. 2012; Christensen & Olsen 2023). Their use in the genus Sansevieria has given clear indications of cryptic species (such as within S. parva N.E.Br., S. dooneri N.E.Br., and S. gracilis N.E.Br. in van Kleinwee et al. 2022) which should be investigated further. On the other hand, molecular approaches cannot develop their full power without a fundamental, morphology-based species concept, and their results are clearly affected by existing taxonomic uncertainty (De Queiroz 2007; Su et al. 2020; Rouhan & Gaudeul 2021). Molecular and morphological approaches are therefore best applied together in order to complement each other (Rouhan & Gaudeul 2021; Zaman et al. 2025). We hope that the species described here, together with their next relatives, can be studied with molecular genetic methods soon. In view of the severe threat to which the majority of the new species described here are exposed, immediate conservation measures are needed. On the one hand, this includes securing their remaining limited habitats, which is the task of the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources. On the other hand, these species must be protected ex situ as a reinsurance, with their remaining genetic diversity (Fišer et al. 2021; Lauterbach et al. 2021). We hope that it will be possible to create and secure the necessary space in the TSF in the near future. The NHT has the mandate to maintain a botanical garden and therefore can also be a potential safeguard for these species in ex-situ conservation. Acknowledgements In addition to the authors, several people contributed substantially to this paper. Innocent Palangyo prepared the trait protocol of Sansevieria muhaensis sp. nov., Sarah Leonhardt protocolled the fruit and seed features of S. chlorantha sp. nov. and S. embere sp. nov. and took the photographs of the seeds. Together with Tom Exner, Tahmid A. Tusar and Alina Weber, she was also involved in other data providing and general help; Alina further cross-checked most of the references in the text. Christiane Benthin and Dr Bernd Weber contributed photos, and Christiane got the S. embere seeds to germinate and took care of the seedlings. Uwe Scharf was involved in many discussions on morphological and taxonomical terminology, made the photo of the juvenile S. bangalalana sp. nov. possible and supplied general support in many respects. Anthony Beke discovered the last living remnants of S. bangalalana at the type location, although bulldozed, in Bangalala Ward. 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