| Astroloba spiralis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Astroloba spiralis in habitat | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Astroloba |
| Species: | A. spiralis |
| Binomial name | |
| Astroloba spiralis (L.) Uitewaal | |
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. [1] [2]
Astroloba spiralis is a compact Astroloba species, with upright, erect stems that are densely covered in pointed succulent leaves. Stems are roughly 15 cm in diameter, and reach a height of 200 mm.
The leaves are blue-green to grey in colour, they grow in 5 rows that sometimes form a gentle spiral. The leaves also have smooth surfaces (unlike the tubercled leaves of Astroloba bullulata and Astroloba corrugata ). Each leaf typically has an oblique keel near the point. The flowers appear in autumn (December to May).
This species is easily confused with its close relative, the rare Astroloba herrei . Both plants also have inflated, puffed up flowers (perianths). However, the flowers of Astroloba spiralis are wrinkled (transversely rugose), and not smooth like those of A. herrei. A. spiralis is also genetically distinct, being a tetraploid. Usually spiralis also has more erect leaves (unlike the more spreading leaves of A. herrei) but this is not a rule, and only the flowers can be used to distinguish these two species with certainty. [3]
It is indigenous to the "Little Karoo", on the southern edge of the Karoo region of South Africa. It extends through the Little Karoo from the Graaff Reinet District in the Eastern Cape Great Karoo, as far as Oudtschoorn and Calitzdorp in the Western Cape, where it becomes Astroloba spirella . [4]
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.
Gasteria excelsa is a succulent plant, native to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
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.
Astroloba is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, native to the Cape Province of South Africa.
Muiria hortenseae ("mouse-head") is a rare dwarf species of succulent plant of the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to a very small area in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. It is the only species in the monophyletic genus Muiria.
Astroloba bullulata is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, endemic to mountainous areas of the southern Cape, South Africa.
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.
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.
Crassula nudicaulis is a succulent plant native to South Africa, and Lesotho.
Haworthiopsis viscosa, formerly Haworthia viscosa, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, 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.
Astroloba tenax is a succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, indigenous to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Crassula cultrata is a succulent plant native to the southern parts of South Africa.
Crassula subaphylla is a succulent plant belonging to the family Crassulaceae. It is widespread in the Karoo regions of South Africa and Namibia.
Crassula biplanata is a succulent plant native to rocky ledges and mountainous areas in the southern parts of South Africa.
Senecio cotyledonis ("Stinkbos") is a species of succulent flowering plant in the aster family, indigenous to the Western Cape and Northern Cape, South Africa.