Scientific Name
Gasteria baylissiana Rauh
Common Name(s)
Lawyer's Tongue, Suurberg Gasteria, Suurberg Ox-tongue
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Gasteria
Origin
Gasteria baylissiana is native to South Africa. It is known only from a single farm at the top of the Suurberg range in the Eastern Cape province, growing on quartzitic sandstone.
Description
Gasteria baylissiana is a dwarf, slow-growing succulent with leaves that grow in two opposite vertical rows, forming a fan shape. It grows up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) tall, producing numerous offsets from the base and forming small dense clumps. Leaves are thick, fleshy, tongue-shaped, up to 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) long, and up to 0.9 inches (2.3 cm) wide. They are gray-green and densely covered with white cartilaginous tubercles. The plants are variable in tubercle density as well as leaf size.
In spring, erectly spreading, usually unbranched stalks arise and bear 15 to 25 flowers with red-pink gasteriform portion, white tube with green striations, and greenish-white apex with dark green median striations. The flower stalks can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These plants are often grouped with Haworthias because the plants have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive, small succulents that can tolerate somewhat more shade than many succulents, making them more suitable as houseplants.
Gasterias are susceptible to fungal infections, which usually appear as black spots on the leaves. These result from too much humidity or water on the leaves, but they should not spread too quickly. They have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks: attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. Generally, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria.
These succulents are small, shallow-rooted, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Gasteria.
Links
- Back to genus Gasteria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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