Gasteria bicolor

Gasteria bicolor
Gasteria bicolor in cultivation (The main "bicolor" variety)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Gasteria
Species: G. bicolor
Binomial name
Gasteria bicolor
(L.) Haw.

Gasteria bicolor (previously named Gasteria obliqua or Gasteria maculata) is succulent plant native to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Description

Gasteria bicolor flowers.
The tiny Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana

This is a very variable species of Gasteria, that is common in cultivation. It grows multiple proliferous stems, all covered in untidy masses of the shiny, mottled, colourful, succulent leaves. It usually forms rosettes, but can sometimes be distichous, especially in cultivation. The leaves can also occasionally develop a keel. Each leaf has a sharp point on the tip.

The flowers generally appear on a long stem of about 30 cm, that carries tubular bell-shaped pink to orange flowers.[1][2]

There are three major varieties, which grade into each other:

Distribution

It naturally occurs over a wide area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In its natural habitat, it is typically found on rocky slopes and outcrops in the thicket vegetation of the region, and is particularly common around Port Elizabeth. This is a summer rainfall region. Its natural range overlaps with several other species of Gasteria.[6]

Cultivation

This species is popular in cultivation, although it is slow growing. It prefers well-drained rich soil and summer watering.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gasteria bicolor.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana.

References

  1. Gasteria bicolor - SANBI redlist page
  2. Gasteria bicolor - Gasteria information page
  3. Bill Keen (18 October 2011). CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: Step-by-Step to Growing Success. Crowood Press, Limited. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-84797-350-4.
  4. "davesgarden.com". Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. Dennis R. Pittenger (1 January 2006). Retail Garden Center Manual. UCANR Publications. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-879906-74-7.
  6. Gasteria bicolor - PlantzAfrica information page
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