| Astroloba corrugata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Astroloba |
| Species: | A. corrugata |
| Binomial name | |
| Astroloba corrugata N.L.Mey. & Gideon F.Sm. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Astroloba corrugata is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, endemic to the Little Karoo and the far south of the Western Cape, South Africa. [1]
This plant has been known by several names in its history. It was named "Astroloba rugosa" (Roberts Reinecke), "Astroloba aspera", and "Astroloba muricata", before it gained its current name.
Astroloba corrugata is a compact Astroloba species, with slender, sprawling stems (up to 20 cm long), densely covered in spirally arranged pointed leaves.
The leaves point outwards, and have slight non-marginated keels. They are green, but become reddish if exposed to direct sun. The outer side of the leaves are covered with distinctive tiny speckled "asperous" tubercles which (unlike Astroloba bullulata ) are the same colour as the leaf. These tubercles sometimes tend to cluster in longitudinal lines.
These smaller, more evenly distributed tubercles (sometimes in longitudinal rows on the leaf) are the clearest means of identifying the species, which can also be differentiated by its smaller out-curved leaves with non-marginated tips.
It produces upright sparse inflorescences of creamy-white flowers during the dry summer (October to February), that are sometimes slightly pink or green. [2]
This species hybridises easily and naturally with Tulista pumila , with which its natural range overlaps. The resulting hybrids are usually far larger, stockier and more erect than normal A. corrugata. These hybrids are occasionally mistaken for different species, and given names such as Astroloba skinneri or Astroloba bicarinata. However, as natural intergeneric hybrids, they are classed as members of the nothogenus × Astrolista , specifically as × Astrolista bicarinata . [3]
A normal variety, A. corrugata var. major (Haw.), is sometimes recognised, where stems are more robust (5–6 cm wide). However this might also merely be the result of genes descending from distant past Tulista pumila admixture. [4]
Towards the east of its natural range, A. corrugata overlaps in its range with other species of Astroloba . It hybridises naturally with its neighbour species to the east, Astroloba spirella . [5]
It is indigenous to the southern strip of the Western Cape in South Africa, where it occurs in the furthest western corner of the Little Karoo. Here its habitat stretches from near Barrydale in the south-east, to near Touws Rivier in the north-west. Outlying populations occur as far as Ladismith and the Rooinek pass. It is generally found on shale or clay flats. [6]
Aristaloe is a genus of evergreen flowering perennial plants in the family Asphodelaceae from Southern Africa. Its sole species is Aristaloe aristata, known as guinea-fowl aloe or lace aloe.
Gasteria is a genus of succulent plants, native to South Africa and the far south-west corner of Namibia.
Astroloba rubriflora is a succulent plant found in the mountainous Karoo area around Robertson, South Africa. It is listed as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN global Red List.
Kumara plicatilis, formerly Aloe plicatilis, the fan-aloe, is a succulent plant endemic to a few mountains in the Fynbos ecoregion, of the Western Cape in South Africa. The plant has an unusual and striking fan-like arrangement of its leaves. It may grow as a large multistemmed shrub or as a small tree. It is one of the two species in the genus Kumara.
Astroloba is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, native to the Cape Province of South Africa.
Tulista is a small genus of succulent plants endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. They were formerly included within the genus Haworthia.
Astroloba bullulata is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, endemic to mountainous areas of the southern Cape, South Africa.
Astroloba spiralis is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, endemic to the southern Karoo regions of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
Astroloba herrei is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, restricted to the area around the Swartberg mountains, South Africa.
Astroloba congesta is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, indigenous to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Astroloba foliolosa is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba widespread in the arid parts of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Kumara is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae, native to the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Astroloba pentagona is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, restricted to an area of the western section of the Little Karoo, South Africa.
Astroloba spirella is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, restricted to an area of the western section of the Little Karoo, South Africa.
Astroloba robusta is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba indigenous to the arid southern Cape regions of South Africa. It is the most widespread Astroloba species.
Tulista pumila ("Vratjiesaalwee") is a species of Tulista succulent plant, from the Western Cape, South Africa.
Tulista kingiana is a species of succulent plant, from the Western Cape, South Africa. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN global Red List.
Tulista minor is a species of succulent plant, from the far south of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Astroloba tenax is a succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, indigenous to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
× Astrolista is a nothogenus of naturally occurring inter-generic hybrids in the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
