Scientific Name
Haworthiopsis reinwardtii (Salm-Dyck) G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Zebra Wart
Synonym(s)
Aloe reinwardtii, Catevala reinwardtii, Haworthia reinwardtii, Haworthia reinwardtii var. reinwardtii
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Haworthiopsis
Origin
This species is native to South Africa. It occurs southeast of Grahamstown between the Kowie River and Fish River and eastwards from the Fish River to near East London in Eastern Cape.
Description
Haworthiopsis reinwardtii, formerly known as Haworthia reinwardtii, is a small succulent that forms elongated rosettes of fleshy, green to brownish-green leaves with white scale-like tubercles. The rosettes grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, producing offsets to form clumps. Leaves are erect, spreading, or incurved, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide. Flowers are tubular, pinkish-white, and appear spirally arranged on usually simple, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long inflorescence in spring. This species is frequently confused with Haworthiopsis coarctata. However, H. reinwardtii has larger, flatter, and whiter tubercles on the leaves, while those of H. coarctata are smaller, smoother, and rounder. H. reinwardtii also has thinner and narrower leaves.
Etymology
The varietal epithet "reinwardtii (rine-WARD-tee-eye)" honors Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt (1773-1854), a Prussian-born Dutch botanist considered to be the founding father of Bogor Botanical Garden in Indonesia.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These succulents are not considered difficult houseplants to grow. If you can keep a pot of Aloe alive on a windowsill, chances are you can do the same with a dish of Haworthia. As with all succulents, the most dangerous situation is too much water. They should never be allowed to sit in water under any circumstances. At the same time, these little decorative plants can be grown in interesting containers such as teacups and even miniature baby shoes. If you're given a Haworthia in such a container, ensure the container has adequate drainage.
Haworthias are small, usually between 3 and 5 inches (7.5 cm and 12.5 cm) in height, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow containers. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets. When the cluster has outgrown its container, repot into a new wide and shallow dish with fresh potting soil in the spring or early summer. This is also the time to take offsets for propagation.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Haworthia.
Varieties
Links
- Back to genus Haworthiopsis
- 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.
