Gasteria bicolor

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Gasteria bicolor
Gasteria bicolor var bicolor 3.jpg
Gasteria bicolor in cultivation (The main "bicolor" variety)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Gasteria
Species:
G. bicolor
Binomial name
Gasteria bicolor
(L.) Haw.

Gasteria bicolor (previously named Gasteria obliqua or Gasteria maculata) is a species of succulent flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, native to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Contents

Description

Gasteria bicolor flowers. Gasteria bicolor var bicolor 4.jpg
Gasteria bicolor flowers.
The tiny Gasteria bicolor var. lilliputana Gasterialiliputana.jpg
The tiny Gasteria bicolor var. lilliputana

This is a very variable species of Gasteria , common in cultivation. It grows multiple proliferous stems, all covered in untidy masses of the shiny, mottled, colourful, succulent leaves. It usually forms rosettes, but can sometimes be distichous, especially in cultivation. The leaves can also occasionally develop a keel. Each leaf has a sharp point on the tip.

The flowers generally appear on a long stem of about 30 cm (12 in), that carries tubular bell-shaped pink to orange flowers. [1] [2]

There are three major varieties, which grade into each other:

Distribution

G. bicolor naturally occurs over a wide area of the Eastern Cape. In its natural habitat, it is typically found on rocky slopes and outcrops in the thicket vegetation of the region, and is particularly common around Port Elizabeth, a summer rainfall region. Its natural range overlaps with several other species of Gasteria . [6]

Cultivation

This species is popular in cultivation, although it is slow growing. It prefers well-drained rich soil and summer watering. Only hardy down to 5 °C (41 °F), in temperate regions it must be grown under glass in the winter months. Cultivation requirements are similar to those for other succulents and cacti. The variety G. bicolor var. lilliputana has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. [7] [8]

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<i>Haworthiopsis coarctata</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Haworthiopsis reinwardtii</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria armstrongii</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Aloe perfoliata</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Haworthia truncata</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Haworthiopsis attenuata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Gasteria acinacifolia</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Haworthia retusa</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria pillansii</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria nitida</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria carinata</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria baylissiana</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Gasteria polita</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Orbea variegata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Haworthia reticulata</i> Species of plant

Haworthia reticulata is a species of succulent plant native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The species has several varieties, including var. hurlingii which is the smallest at up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

References

  1. Gasteria bicolor - SANBI redlist page
  2. Gasteria bicolor - Gasteria information page
  3. Bill Keen (18 October 2011). CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: Step-by-Step to Growing Success. Crowood Press, Limited. p. 197. ISBN   978-1-84797-350-4.
  4. "davesgarden.com" . Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. Dennis R. Pittenger (1 January 2006). Retail Garden Center Manual. UCANR Publications. p. 67. ISBN   978-1-879906-74-7.
  6. Gasteria bicolor - PlantZAfrica.com information page
  7. "RHS Plantfinder - Gasteria bicolor var. lilliputana" . Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  8. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 39. Retrieved 27 February 2018.