Scientific Name
Gasteria pillansii Kensit
Common Name(s)
Cattle Tongue, Cow Tongue Cactus, Lawyer's Tongue, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Namaqua Gasteria
Synonym(s)
Gasteria pillansii var. pillansii
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Gasteria
Description
Gasteria pillansii is a stemless succulent with strap-shaped leaves arranged alternately in two opposite vertical rows. It is a very variable species, especially in leaf and flower size. It grows up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 16 inches (40 cm) wide, proliferating from the base, and can form a dense clump up to 3.3 feet (1 m) in diameter with age. The leaves are erectly spreading, oblong with rough to tuberculate surfaces and toothed margins, and can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length and 2 inches (5 cm) in width.
From spring to fall, the flowers appear laxly arranged in the upper half, on one side only, of spreading and slightly curved stalk that can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. The flowers are nodding, slightly belly-shaped (gasteriform) basally, measuring up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long and 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter. They are white to light pink with green striations and a pink gasteriform portion.
Origin
Gasteria pillansii is endemic to the dry Namaqualand region. It grows on quartzitic sandstone, granite, and shales from south of Clanwilliam in South Africa to north of the Orange River in southern Namibia.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Gasterias are often grouped with Haworthia because the plants have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive small succulents that can tolerate more shade than many, making them more suitable as houseplants. However, 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. Gasterias have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks and attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spGenerallyeral, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria.
Gasterias 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
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
