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Glite Dictionary
Sansevieria zeylanica

Sansevieria zeylanica

9.9
A tropical plant with thick banded green leaves often kept indoors
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sansevieria zeylanica
  • The gardener recommended planting Sansevieria zeylanica because it thrives in low light.

Examples

  • Many interior designers use Sansevieria zeylanica to add greenery to offices and homes.

  • Fibers from Sansevieria zeylanica leaves are sometimes used to make rope.

  • The Sansevieria zeylanica is a popular houseplant.

  • Many gardeners love Sansevieria zeylanica for its resilience.

  • Fibers from Sansevieria zeylanica leaves are sometimes used to make rope.

  • Many interior designers use Sansevieria zeylanica to add greenery to offices and homes.

  • The gardener recommended planting Sansevieria zeylanica because it thrives in low light.

Synonyms

Ceylon bowstring hemp
vsSansevieria zeylanica
9.3

A tropical plant with thick striped green leaves grown for strong fibers and decoration

is the scientific name for the same species rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Sansevieria zeylanica singular
Sansevieria zeylanicas plural

Morphology

Sansevieria + zeylanica

This is a Latin binomial (a scientific species name) rather than a compositional English phrase; the second element 'zeylanica' is not an ordinary English word and is not informative to a B1 learner. Knowing 'Sansevieria' as a genus might indicate it is a plant, but the specific descriptive meaning (thick fibrous leaves, common name Ceylon bowstring hemp) cannot be derived from the parts without specialist or botanical knowledge, so it is opaque.

Etymology

Sansevieria zeylanica comes from two parts: Sansevieria, a name that honors an Italian noble, and zeylanica, which means 'from Ceylon', the old name for Sri Lanka. That's why the name tells you it is a Sansevieria linked to Sri Lanka and helps you remember its thick, strong, rope-like leaves often called 'bowstring hemp'.