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This plant specie is in all probability call Mother - In - Law ’s Tongue because its leaf are pointed and sharp , like your mother - in - law ’s tongue . But there ’s no official record of when , where , or how this colloquial name develop .
While Snake Plant and Mother - In - Law ’s lingua are the most democratic names for this mintage , they are far from the only ones in use . Using one common name over another can be regional or based solely on personal taste .
Table of Contents
What Is A Snake Plant?
First , “ Snake Plant ” is itself a conversational name . The scientific name for this plant life species isDracaena trifasciata .
Dracaena trifasciatais a succulent plant species . It stores excess water in its leaf , making it like an expert accommodate to hot and arid climate — most notably deserts — such as those found in its aboriginal regions of Africa .
What Is The Difference BetweenDracaena trifasciataAndSansevieria trifasciata?
If you were under the belief that the scientific name for a Snake Plant wasSansevieria trifasciata , do n’t be alarmed !
Sansevieria trifasciata was the right systematic name for this species until very lately . And , if you ’re at all interested in phytology , the tale of how the Snake Plant came to be rename is quite interesting .
In 2017 , scientist made a surprising find when analyzing the Snake Plant ’s genetic science on a molecular level .
While the Snake Plant had initially been placed in a genus all its own ( Sansevieria ) , its genes proved it was a phallus of an exist genus . This genus was , of path , Dracaena .
You might not realize it , but many other houseplants are also members of the Dracaena family unit . Popular examples include :
How To IdentifyDracaena trifasciata
While there are many miscellany of Dracaena trifasciata ( with more being develop seemingly every daylight ! ) , they all share a somewhat like appearance .
Dracaena trifasciataleaves get upright and indicate , emerging from a central rose window . The growing little potato is particularly visible in sort with shorter , broader foliage .
sorry light-green is the most common colour seen inDracaena trifasciatafoliage . However , this specie is highly prone to diversification , so do n’t be surprised if you see moreDracaena trifasciatawith striped leaves than not .
Other colors ofDracaena trifasciataare also available . Many such varieties are the result of purposeful breeding and nonsexual multiplication .
The foliation ofDracaena trifasciatais not indulgent and yielding like many plants ’ but is extraordinarily steady and , in some vitrine , piercing to the touching . ( As we ’ll hide in a minute , this trait heavily influences the flora ’s farseeing tilt of conversational name ! )
5 NamesDracaena trifasciataMost Commonly Goes By
As mentioned , Dracaena trifasciatadoesn’t just go by Snake Plant and Mother - In - Law ’s Tongue .
Here are some ( but not all ) of the usual names this plant is sometimes known as :
1. Snake Plant
It does n’t take a genius to nail the breathing in for this name . Not only do the Snake Plant ’s parting resemble serpent in bod . But their unequalled stripes are also redolent of many snake species .
Common name present a communicating job for botanical professionals and hobbyist likewise . Unlike some conversational construction for Dracaena trifasciata , “ Snake Plant ” rarely identify any other species .
Using “ Snake Plant ” to refer toDracaena trifasciatain conversation is almost always a safe wager .
2. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
If you do n’t bang this houseplant as a Snake Plant , you ’re belike more familiar with the name Mother - In - Law ’s natural language .
As mentioned , the most vulgar theory behind this name ’s origin is that the pointed foliage is redolent of a female parent - in - practice of law ’s sharp knife .
Some enthusiasts also conceive the name was inspired by the flora ’s power to withstand nearly all get stipulation — it ’s pertinacious and unlikely to go away without force !
While scathing , familiar name calling such as this do n’t come about accidentally . If you have a estimable family relationship with your mother - in - law , count yourself lucky .
It ’s usually safe to strike that anyone using Mother - In - Law ’s Tongue talks aboutDracaena trifasciata . But Mother - In - Law ’s Tongue can also come to toDieffenbachia , a similar - looking but unrelated industrial plant species .
InDieffenbachia’scase , the name is most in all probability inhale by the plant ’s spit - numbing muggins that can bequeath the ingester temporarily ineffective to address !
3. Viper’s Bowstring Hemp
The third most popular name forDracaena trifasciatais Viper ’s Bowstring Hemp . This vulgar name is a bit of a mouthful . But it is surprisingly descriptive if you know the origin !
While we associate hemp with various Cannabis plants , the term can technically describe any strong works fiber . The fibre of Dracaena trifasciata have specifically been used to make bowstring .
As for the viper , the soubriquet is the plant life ’s serpent - like appearance .
4. Tiger’s Tongue/Tail
The most commonDracaena trifasciataare inspired by the plant ’s sticker - alike leafage . But Tiger ’s Tongue and Tail are inspired by the leaf ’s typical stripes instead .
5. Saint George’s Sword/Sword of Saint George
You ’ll rarely come across this name in English - talk country . However , Saint George ’s Sword is a pop term forDracaena trifasciatain many Spanish- and Portuguese - mouth countries .
It ’s clear whyDracaena trifasciataonce reminded someone of a holy blade . Yet why the steel of Saint George was chosen as a namesake is n’t entirely unclouded .
Popular Snake Plant Varieties and Their Common Names
To make matters even more complicated , not all Snake plant areDracaena trifasciata . ( Though they are all types ofDracaena . )
Thanks to the trick of industrial plant genetic science , some varieties of Snake Plants are subtypes or very close relatives ofDracaena trifasciata .
characteristic used to identify different Snake Plant varieties include folio shape , summit , colouring material , diversification patterns , flower style , and more .
If you shop online or at a local nursery , there ’s a right chance these plants will still be label as Snake Plants , female parent - In - Law ’s Tongue , or another common name .
But be cognisant that some variety show and cultivars are dub with unique gens :
Bird’s Nest Plant
The Bird ’s Nest Plant , orDracaena trifasciata“Hahnii , ” is typically identify by its dwarfed growth figure .
The Snake Plant ’s distinctive rosette pattern and this form ’s shorter stature give it the appearing of a bird ’s nest . ( Hence the name ! )
Another pop version of this variety is the Golden Bird ’s Nest Snake Plant . This subtype is scientifically have sex as Dracaena trifasciata , “ Golden Hahnii . ”
Shark/Whale Fin Plant
Dracaena masonianamost frequently goes by Shark Fin and Whale Fin Plant . The original cultivar ’s name was Mason Congo .
Most nurseries and greenhouses betray this cultivar as a single leaf in a pot . However , if permit to grow naturally , it will get multiple leaves like any other Snake Plant .
Moonshine Plant
The so - send for Moonshine Plant is a subtype ofDracaena trifasciataprized for its unique color .
The leaf ranges from grey to sullen immature . Some specimens have the Snake Plant ’s classic stripes as well .
African Spear Plant
The African Spear Plant , orDracaena angolensis , is an exciting pas seul of the Snake Plant you ’re likely familiar with . Instead of flat , sword - corresponding leafage , this coinage ’ leaves are cylindrical .
Unsurprisingly , some gardener also know this miscellany as a Cylindrical Snake Plant .
Kenya Hyacinth
You may have previously stumbled across a Kenya Hyacinth or Dracaena Parva without even realize it was a member of the Snake Plant family . But once you acknowledge the relationship , it ’s toilsome to miss .
Unlike its congeneric that typically grow good , the Kenya Hyacinth ’s draping growth pattern makes it perfect for smaller pots and hanging planter .
Is It Better to Use Scientific or Common Names?
We ’ve address how using coarse figure for industrial plant species can be perplexing . But that does n’t intend you should abandon them solely .
phytologist and other plant professionals swear on scientific names for clarity . The independent reasonableness is that Romance wrangle are universal .
Regardless of where you are , the same taxonomic name is used for any plant species . The same for sure is n’t unfeigned of familiar name !
On a small scale , problems can uprise when home gardeners , publications , and retail merchant rely solely on common names for identification , leading to mislabeling plant species . When decently caring for a misidentified plant , hobbyist are set up for loser .
Let ’s use female parent - In - Law ’s Tongue as an example :
envisage entering a local greenhouse and bespeak a female parent - In - Law ’s Tongue ( Dracaena trifasciata ) . The shop clerk could come back with the works you had in brain . Or they could just as quick sell you what they know as a female parent - In - Law ’s Tongue , Dieffenbachia .
There is a proper time and place for familiar names ; if not , they would n’t exist for most houseplants .
Common name calling are easier to articulate , spell , and — perhaps most significantly — commemorate . Without them , horticulture would be much less approachable to the modal person !
So , what ’s the verdict on scientific versus coarse name ?
FAQs on Why Is Snake Plant Called Mother-In-Law’s Tongue?
What does a snake plant at your front door mean?
consort to Feng Shui principles , serpent plants are typically associated with good luck mainly due to their air purification qualities . It ’s crucial to place the Hydra works in an ideal stead to fetch salutary hazard to the plate , as wrong class invite minus DOE .
What do I need to know about snake plants?
serpent flora absorb toxin and release oxygen , which may remove wet in the tune and lessen airborne allergen . The Sansevieria meet these conditions perfectly . Therefore , persons with allergies should incur a protagonist in such plants because they are a natural and cheap way to stick healthy .
Can a snake grow without sunlight?
The snake plant life or the politically wrong mother - in - police ’s tongue , sansevieria , is one of the tough houseplants on the planet . These architectural beauties add up in various foliage shapes and vividness and do fine in abject - ignitor locations .
Can you cut snake plant leaves?
In our mild mood , Sansevieria can be grown successfully outdoors too . To contract the height of the plant , cut off the tallest leaves to the soil line . practice a tenuous tongue to cut the individual leaves away , careful not to damage adjacent leave . Remove all the leaves that you imagine are too tall .
Do snake plants clean the air?
The snake industrial plant ( mother - in - law ’s tongue ) has many air - clean deception . It get rid of methanal , xylol , and nitrogen oxides from the air and go on its unvoiced employment at dark .
Conclusion
Though Dracaena trifasciata is well - known for its foresighted list of familiar names in the botanical world , it certainly is n’t the only wrongdoer . Many pop houseplants feature a collection of conversational monikers . The name you know best often depends on geographical location , aboriginal language , and other life-sustaining factor .
Realistically , it does n’t matter which name you refer to , Dracaena trifasciataor any other flora species . However , what does count is whether or not you know how to identify a plant main of its coarse name(s ) .
Common names are imprecise tools that can quickly lead to miscommunication if you rely on them too heavily . Knowing a few basic fact — the taxonomical name of the works species in interrogation or defining characteristics — could keep you from a world of confusion in the future !
