The Snake Plant

"Don't touch my leaves!"
Photo by Marjo Montero

Common Name: Snake Plant

Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Photo taken at Bicentennial Park, Clark, Pampanga in September 2016

This is plant decorates the fields of the Bicentennial Park. It has leaves that developed sharp edges to protect itself from predators.

About Snake Plants

     Sansevieria trifasciata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo.

       It is commonly called the snake plant because of the shape of its leaves, or mother-in-law's tongue because of their sharpness. In China, it is known as the tiger's tail orchid. In Japan, it is called tiger's tail . In Turkey it is known as Paşa Kılıcı (pashasword). A yellow-tipped variant is associated with Oya, the female orisha of storms. In Africa, the plant is used as a protective charm against evil or bewitchment. In Nigeria it is commonly linked with Ogoun, the Orisha of war, and is used in rituals to remove the evil eye. In Brazil it is commonly known as espada de São Jorge (sword of Saint George) who by syncretism is also associated with Ogoun.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansevieria_trifasciata

Photo and description by Marjo Montero