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Gasteria obliqua (Aiton) Duval
| Family Name: | Asphodelaceae |
| Synonyms: | Gasteria maculata, Gasteria bicolor |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Desert / Semi-Desert) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Desert / Arid |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Succulent with a rosette or distichous growth form growing up to 0.5 m tall. Cultivated plants typically have the distichous growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, fleshy leaves are oblong with a rounded apex (7-25 cm long, 2.5 cm wide). Leaf colour is darker green towards the apex and bright light green near the base. Irregular, cream-coloured spots are evenly distributed across both sides of the leaf. Sessile leaves are directly connected to the stem. |
| Flowers | Small, bi-coloured flowers (2 cm wide) are reddish pink and green. Tubular to globose flowers hang down from a tall, spike or panicle inflorescence (up to 1.5 m tall). |
| Cultivation | Plants exposed to full sun will develop a reddish tint on their leaves. To propagate by leaf cutting, cut a leaf off and allow the wound to air-dry for 1 month. After the wound has healed, place the cut side in a well-drained potting mix and the leaf will begin to form roots. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Leaf Cutting |
| Plant Growth Rate Remarks | Slow growing |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Offshoots |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike, Panicle |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Reddish pink |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31504 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5901 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |