<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Synonyms </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <P> Sansevieria laurentii </P> </Td> </Tr> <P> 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 most commonly known as the snake plant, mother - in - law's tongue, and viper's bowstring hemp, among other names . </P> <P> It is an evergreen perennial plant forming dense stands, spreading by way of its creeping rhizome, which is sometimes above ground, sometimes underground . Its stiff leaves grow vertically from a basal rosette . Mature leaves are dark green with light gray - green cross-banding and usually range from 70--90 centimetres (28--35 in) long and 5--6 centimetres (2.0--2.4 in) wide, though it can reach heights above 2 m (6 ft) in optimal conditions . </P>

Is mother in laws tongue the same as snake plant