Haworthiopsis scabra

Haworthiopsis scabra
Haworthiopsis scabra var. scabra in cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asphodelaceae
Subfamily:	Asphodeloideae
Tribe:	Aloeae
Genus:	Haworthiopsis
Species:	H. scabra
Binomial name
Haworthiopsis scabra (Haw.) G.D.Rowley [1]
Synonyms [1]
Haworthia scabraHaw. Aloe scabra(Haw.) Schult. & Schult.f. Catevala scabra(Haw.) Kuntze

Haworthiopsis scabra, formerly Haworthia scabra, is a species of flowering succulent plant from arid regions of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa. ^[2]

Description

Haworthiopsis scabra is a very variable species, with several very distinct varieties. Its name "scabra" means "rough", but only its type-variety truly has rough leaves. It typically grows its leaves in three tiers (trifarious) though some varieties have five-tier leaf arrangement. Many varieties have a spiral twist to their leaves. ^[2]

Varieties

As of May 2024 ^[update] , Plants of the World Online accepted five varieties: ^[3]

• H. s. var. lateganiae(Poelln.) G.D.Rowley – larger, smooth, offsetting variety with long, thin leaves ^[2]
• H. s. var. morrisiae(Poelln.) G.D.Rowley – intermediate, banded variety with confluent tubercles^{[ citation needed ]}
• H. s. var. scabra – the widespread type-variety; dark and rough from dense tubercles ^[4]
• H. s. var. smitii(Poelln.) Gildenh. & Klopper – a variety from the Small Karoo (South Africa), with few large tubercles and raised margins and keels^{[ citation needed ]}
• H. s. var. starkiana(Poelln.) G.D.Rowley – smooth variety, light coloured and without tubercles ^[2]

The flowers typically appear in November and December.

• 
  Haworthiopsis scabra var. scabra; the type form in habitat
• 
  Haworthiopsis scabra var. starkiana – sometimes classed as a separate species Haworthiopsis starkiana
• 
  Young Haworthiopsis scabra var. smitii in cultivation
• 
  Seedlings of Haworthiopsis scabra var. lateganiae

Taxonomy

The species was previously included in Haworthia subgenus Hexangulares. Phylogenetic studies demonstrated that subgenus Hexangulares was actually relatively unrelated to other haworthias and so it was moved to the new genus Haworthiopsis. ^{[5] [6]}

Distribution

This species extends across the southern part of South Africa in the arid Little Karoo region. Here it grows on both sides of the border between the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, from Ladismith in the West to Baviaanskloof in the East.

Within this range, it typically grows in very well-drained sandy soil, usually under a bush or rocks which serve as partial protection from the sun.

Cultivation

It is very slow growing and is not common in cultivation. It requires extremely well-drained soil and minimal water. They thrive in shady conditions, though some varieties such as starkiana can be adjusted gradually to full sun.

References

1. "Haworthiopsis scabra", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families , Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , retrieved 2017-10-16
2. WoS (2020-01-30). "Haworthiopsis scabra". World of Succulents. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
3. "Haworthiopsis scabra (Haw.) G.D.Rowley". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2024-05-05.
4. "All you wanted to know about Haworthias, Gasterias and Astrolobas: Haworthia scabra". All you wanted to know about Haworthias, Gasterias and Astrolobas. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
5. Manning, John; Boatwright, James S.; Daru, Barnabas H.; Maurin, Olivier; van der Bank, Michelle. A Molecular Phylogeny and Generic Classification of Asphodelaceae subfamily Alooideae: A Final Resolution of the Prickly Issue of Polyphyly in the Alooids? Systematic Botany, Volume 39, Number 1, March 2014, pp. 55-74
6. "All about Haworthia". Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2015-02-18.