Mother-in-law's Tongue

Appearance

It is a rhizomatous perennial with the leaves erect, emerging from the soil. The coriaceous leaves are up to 1 m in height, linear/lanceolate, with a slightly undulate leaf margin and an acute leaf apex. The leaves are parallel veined and mottled green with white splotches.
The complete, perfect actinomorphic flowers are arranged in racemes. The perianth has 6 white, fused forming a tube, tepals. There are 6 stamens fused to perianth. The ovary is superior with 3 locules and numerous ovules. The fruit is a berry at maturity.

Naming

Synonym: Sansevieria hyacinthoides
Common Names: Mother In Law's Tongue, African Bow String Hemp

Distribution

It is native to eastern and southern Africa. It is now widespread throughout the Caribbean region and Central America.

Habitat

It grows in human Altered environments (yards, gardens, abandoned fields).

Uses

Widely used to obtain fibers for rope making.
The leaves and roots of this plant make traditional herbal medicines for treating ear infections, hemorrhoids and skin ulcers.