#gasteria

Gasteria obtusifolia

Though plants have long been in cultivation under this name, it is listed by authority Ernst van Jaarsveld as a synonym of G. disticha. However, it differs from typical plants of that species in having stubbier flowers and leaves that develop a keel, not remaining completely two-sided like A. disticha. I have not seen matching plants in nature, and I am still using the old name G. obtusifolia until I know more about its origins. Gasterias are related to aloes, and they occur widely in South Africa.

Gasteria sps.

Plant of the Day

Thursday 18 May 2023

My succulent houseplant Gasteria 'Little Warty' (ox tongue) has produced these long flower stems. The genus is named for the stomach-shaped flowers, ‘gaster’ being Latin for ‘stomach’. The clump-forming leaves have raised pale green stripes.