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Glite Dictionary
Sansevieria guineensis

Sansevieria guineensis

9.9
A tropical African plant with long stiff leaves that people use as a houseplant and for strong ropes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sansevieria guineensis
  • The leaves of Sansevieria guineensis are often used to make strong cords and ropes.

Examples

  • Gardeners prize Sansevieria guineensis for its low-maintenance care and striking appearance.

  • Botanists studied Sansevieria guineensis for its drought-resistant qualities in arid landscapes.

  • The Sansevieria guineensis is known for its resilience.

  • Many people love the Sansevieria guineensis for home decoration.

  • Botanists prize Sansevieria guineensis for its strong fibers, which are ideal for making ropes.

  • Many gardeners cultivate Sansevieria guineensis because it thrives in indoor environments with little sunlight.

  • The unique structure of Sansevieria guineensis makes it a popular choice for ornamental displays in homes.

Synonyms

African bowstring hemp
vsSansevieria guineensis
  • South African
7.4

A South African plant whose long, strong leaves people use to make rope

is valued for both strong fibers and decorative use across tropical Africa
African hemp
vsSansevieria guineensis
  • South African
9.1

A strong fibrous plant with long stiff leaves used for making rope

is a tropical plant prized also for ornament, not only for fiber use

Surface Forms

Sansevieria guineensis singular
Sansevieria guineensises plural

Morphology

Sansevieria + guineensis

This is a taxonomic binomial composed of a genus name (Sansevieria, a type of plant) and a Latin adjectival epithet (guineensis, ‘from Guinea’). For a learner who knows both constituents and the naming convention, the meaning (a Sansevieria species from Guinea) is derivable, but the Latin form 'guineensis' is not transparent to most B1 learners and requires specialized knowledge, so the expression is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Sansevieria guineensis gets its name from its long, tough leaves: people used them like 'bowstrings' to make strong cords, so the plant became known as 'bowstring hemp'. That's why gardeners like it for being hardy and easy to care for, and why its leaves are still used to make 'ropes'.