Scientific Name
Gasteria bicolor Haw.
Common Names
Lawyer’s Tongue
Synonyms
Gasteria bicolor var. bicolor, Gasteria obliqua, Gasteria maculata, Aloe planifolia, Gasteria caespitosa, Gasteria liliputana, Gasteria planifolia
Scientific Classification
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Gasteria
Description
Gasteria bicolor is a fleshy, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, rough, pointed tongue-like foliage. Dark green, peculiar leaves spotted with small, white dots, grow out of the center of the plant and with maturity they recurve to the ground. It branches profusely from the base and can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. Stems become elongated, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Flower are small, about 0.8 inch (2 cm) long, pendulous, tubular to globose, bicolored reddish-pink and green and look like little stomachs. The inflorescence can be simple or branched and very tall (up to 5 feet/1.5 m).
Photo via flickr.com
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Gasteria are often grouped with Haworthia because the plants have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive, small succulents that can tolerate somewhat more shade than many succulents, which makes them more suitable as houseplants.
Gasteria are susceptible to fungal infections, which usually appear as black spots on the leaves. These are the result of too much humidity or water on the leaves, but they should not spread too quickly. Gasteria have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks and attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. In general, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria…. – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Gasteria
Origin
Native to South Africa (Eastern Cape).
Subspecies, Varieties, Forms, Cultivars and Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Gasteria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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