Haworthia wittebergensis seems to be restricted to a few localities south of Laingsburg.  It is a distinctive Haworthia unlike so many others in the genus that often tend to have intermediate forms making their classification difficult.

The plants invariably seem to occur only squashed in rock crevices where they are often difficult to locate as the leaf tips get eaten off or dry up during the summer months.

It is quite a desirable species due to its scarcity and its cultivation often proves to be more difficult than many other Haworthia. The plants are very slow growing. Although they proliferate from the base in nature, this seems to take many years and in cultivation the plants are mostly single.

Below some photographs of seedlings.

The name Haworthia papillaris is applied to this very interesting form of Haworthia truncata from the vicinity of Dysselsdorp in the Southern Cape.

Although the plants are smaller then most other Haworthia truncata, they are covered with little protrusions or papillae over their bodies.

The plants are usually well hidden under bushes or debris (old leaves, twigs etc). This makes them very difficult to find.  Haworthia papillaris is a rare, choice plant in collections. It does not seem to flower as prolifically as some other truncata, and seed production in nature tends to be rather skimpy.

Propagation is (similar to other Haworthia truncata) by seed, leaf cuttings or root cuttings.

Haworthia papillaris in habitat.

 

  

Haworthia zenigata is an extremely rare small succulent plant found in fynbos habitat at only a few localities north of the Outeniqua mountains.

The plants are related to Haworthia minima and Haworthia kingiana of the coastal areas.

Seed production in nature is almost non-existent and the plants are not available in cultivation yet.

Haworthia zenigata in habitat.

  

Haworthia erii is a mountainous Haworthia found in at least one locality between De Rust and Uniondale. Related plants occur in other areas east of De Rust.

Haworthia erii is especially attractive due to its silvery shiny translucent leaf tips..

The flowering time is in December and correlates with that of Haworthia arachnoidea and Haworthia aranea found further to the west.

The plants were described by Dr. M Hayashi.

Cultivation is not difficult, but care should be taken to prevent the base of the plant to become waterlogged. Propagation is from seed. Growth is slow.

Haworthia erii in cultivation.


  

Haworthia reddii is a soft leaved succulent plant endemic to the areas of Fort Beaufort and Kingwilliamstown in the Easten Cape Province.

This species is closely related to Haworthia cymbiformis. The plants are easy to cultivate and sucker from the base producing extensive clumps.

The plants look best if they receive fairly good light and are not over watered.

Synonym: Haworthia cymbiformis var. reddii (sensu M.B. Bayer).


Haworthia reddii originating from Waterdown Dam in cultivation.

  

Haworthia koelmaniorum is known from the area around Groblersdal in Mpumalanga, and has also been collected elswhere.

The plants are related to Haworthia limifolia but have a darker and brownish colour and also lack the stoloniferous nature sometimes found in the latter species.

Although Haworthia koelmaniorum naturally occurs in the summer rainfall area, the plants seem to have no problem when cultivated under similar conditions as their winter-growing relatives.

Propagation is from seed or leaf cuttings. Growth is slow.

The first two pictures are from Haworthia koelmaniorum in cultivation.




The following two pictures are hybrids with Haworthia koelmaniorum as one parent. The plants were created by Gerhard Marx.

Haworthia minima x koelmaniorum


Haworthia koelmaniorum x mortonii

  

Haworthia lockwoodii occurs in the dry areas south of Laingsburg in the Great Karoo. These soft-leaved Haworthias show some affinity with Haworthia mucronata from the Little Karoo and indeed some intermediate populations exist in between the Great- and Little Karoo illustrating the connection. Haworthia lockwoodii is however usually a larger plant and the dying off of the leaf tips during the dry summer is much more pronounced.

The plants also apparently link with Haworthia decipiens.

Propagation is from seed and the plants should be watered with care as Haworthia lockwoodii is fairly prone to rot. Although their natural habitat is in the summer rainfall area, the plants prefer to grow in winter.


Typical habitat of Haworthia lockwoodii south of Laingsburg.


Haworthia lockwoodii in habitat, buried in a protective layer of its own dead leaves.

  

Haworthia diversifolia occurs in the Great Karoo from the Prince Albert district eastwards to the Willowmore district and possibly further, as well as areas around Beaufort West.

The plants seem to be related to Haworthia nigra, but the leaves are shorter and more compactly stacked on top of each other, similarly to Haworthia viscosa.

The cultivation of Haworthia diversifolia is not easy and the plants are often unhappy in cultivation. Propagation is from seed which is quite difficult to obtain.

Synonym: Haworthia nigra var. diversifolia.

Haworthia diversifolia north of Prince Albert. An attractive and well marked rugose specimen.

  

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Fresh seed of Haworthia truncata Dysselsdorp available here:
 

Haworthia suberecta grows in typical fashion on almost vertical cliffs, and often prefers the northern sun-baked slopes of hills and ravines.The plants seem more resilient to these adverse conditions than many other Haworthia. The leaves are usually semi-erect but there is some variation in the recurving of the leaves.

Haworthia suberecta appears in a number of forms from around Mossel Bay to probably about Brandwacht some 15 km. to the north. Plants from the gorges of the Gouritz River further east may perhaps also fall within this taxon. ( See footnote )

Haworthia suberecta is usually a happy plant in cultivation and does not seem to need the hot and adverse conditions they thrive on in habitat. The plants proliferate freely from the base, both in nature and cultivation.

A well drained slightly composted sandy soil should do well. Too much watering can harm the roots.

Synonym: Haworthia turgida var. suberecta (Sensu M.B. Bayer)


Haworthia suberecta at Brandwacht north of Mossel Bay. The red colour is due to sunburn. The plants normally turn light green in cultivation.


Haworthia suberecta habitat. Bare slopes where little else grows seem ideally suited for this species.





Proliferation is the order of the day.


Haworthia suberecta near Hartenbos Dam

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Haworthia radula is only known from the area around Hankey in the Eastern Cape Province.

This species is very closely related to the similar Haworthia attenuata, but differs in that it has many small white tubercles on the leaves whereas Haworthia attenuata has fewer and larger tubercles.

Haworthia radula is an easy plant in cultivation and requires no special care except for good drainage of the soil.

The plants readily proliferate from the base and can form large clumps.

Synonym: Haworthia attenuata var. radula (Sensu M.B. Bayer)


Haworthia radula in habitat.

  

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Haworthia calcarea occurs in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape. The plants are found growing on low limestone outcroppings.

This small plant is a relatively fast grower in cultivation when compared to some other Haworthia. Haworthia calcarea readily proliferates from the base in cultivation and in nature.

The flowers are whitish and similar to other species of the genus.

Synonyms: Haworthia mirabilis var. calcarea (Sensu M.B. Bayer).
Haworthia rossouwii var. calcarea (Sensu M.B. Bayer).



Haworthia calcarea in De Hoop Nature Reserve.


Haworthia calcarea can form large clumps.



Haworthia calcarea , an exposed plant beaten by the sun.


  

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Haworthia viscosa var. viscosa is widely distributed over the Great Karoo, Little Karoo and Eastern Cape. There is some variation in size and leaf arrangement over the distribution area. In the Little Karoo the plants prefer to grow on shale outcroppings while in the Aberdeen area the plants also grow on plains.

Haworthia viscosa var. viscosa is easily cultivated and does not need any specialized treatment as long as the frost is not severe and the soil is well drained.


Haworthia viscosa var. viscosa growing on shale near Oudtshoorn.


Haworthia viscosa var. viscosa

  

Haworthia scottii grows amongst ferri-crete pebbles in the Calitzdorp district.

The plants appear to be linked to Haworthia arachnoidea , but Haworthia scottii has shorter flower stalks and thicker leaves that are sometimes slightly translucent (See also Haworthia erii )

Haworthia scottii in habitat.


Toothed form.

  

Haworthia fusca is part of the intriguing Haworthia complex of the Southern Cape coastal area. The plants are found in an isolated area in the Albertinia district.

Haworthia fusca has a beautiful reddish/purplish coloration when exposed to the open sun. This is one of its distinquishing characteristics when compared to the closely allied Haworthia retusa from the Riversdale area.



Haworthia fusca in habitat west of Albertinia with a purplish colour.


Haworthia fusca. A reddish clone.

  

Haworthia sordida var. sordida (sordida means dirty appearance) is a blackish green Haworthia from the area between Steytlerville and Addo.

The plants are relatively difficult to cultivate and special care and good drainage is required. Growth is very slow and seedlings take many years to reach maturity.

In a greenhouse Haworthia sordida var. sordida loses its sandy dirty look after time, and the plants become notably handsome.

Haworthia sordida var. sordida in habitat in the Steytlerville district.

  

Haworthia cooperi var.venusta is known from one locality in the Alexandria district south of Grahamstown.

This remarkable variety is covered with white hairs, an uncommon feature in the genus Haworthia, although some retuse plants have been discovered recently, with a similar characteristic.

Haworthia cooperi var.venusta is in high demand by collectors.

The plants seem to be more difficult in cultivation then other Haworthia cooperi varieties


Haworthia cooperi var.venusta in habitat.