Tulista kingiana | |
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Tulista kingiana (Mossel Bay form) in cultivation. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asphodelaceae |
Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
Genus: | Tulista |
Species: | T. kingiana |
Binomial name | |
Tulista kingiana | |
Synonyms | |
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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.
It was formerly classed in the genus Haworthia , as Haworthia kingiana. [3]
It is an evergreen succulent plant with rosettes of short, sharp, bright green, succulent leaves. The leaves are usually covered with flat, shiny tubercles. These are usually rounded and white, but they are occasionally elongated or slightly translucent. The plant gradually produces offsets and can form clumps. In November and December it produces pink-white flowers.
The bright, yellow-green colour is the distinguishing feature of Tulista kingiana. In other ways though, this species is quite variable. Even in one locality there can be great variety in leaf shape, growth form and tubercles.
It was formerly classed in the genus Haworthia , with the other large species ( T. pumila , T. minima and T. marginata ) in the "Robustipedunculares" subgenus. Following recent phylogenetic studies, it has been shown that these four species in fact constitute a distinct out-group, separate from other Haworthias. They have therefore been classed as a separate genus, " Tulista ". [4]
The natural distribution of this species is a small area centred on Mossel Bay, in the far south of the Cape, South Africa. Its population is very sparse in this area, and its natural range extends from as far east as Great Brak, to Herbertsdale in the West and north of the Langeberg mountains into the Little Karoo where it is extremely rare. Its habitat is usually renosterveld and grassland patches on top of rocky, exposed hills and slopes. In the wild its natural threats are seasonal fires and grazing by wildlife. [5]
Currently the plant is listed as an endangered species because of human pressures and it has become very rare. It is severely threatened by illegal collecting for the horticultural trade and by habitat destruction. [6]
Tulista kingiana is very highly prized as an ornamental and it is grown for horticultural reasons. It is long-lived and slow-growing. It is difficult in cultivation and it needs very well-drained soil and good air movement. The plant slowly offsets so propagation can be by off-sets, by leaf-cuttings or by seed.
Asphodeloideae is a subfamily of the monocot family Asphodelaceae in the order Asparagales. It has previously been treated as a separate family, Asphodelaceae sensu stricto. The family Asphodelaceae has now been proposed to be a nomen conservandum, and the proposal has been recommended for ratification in 2017. In that case, Asphodelaceae will have priority over Xanthorrhoeaceae. This is reflected in the APG IV family lists.
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.
Haworthia is a large genus of small succulent plants endemic to Southern Africa (Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa).
Gasteria is a genus of succulent plants, native to South Africa.
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 South Africa. They were formerly included within the genus Haworthia.
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.
Kumara is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae, native to the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Haworthia retusa is a species of flowering plants of the genus Haworthia in the family Asphodelaceae, endemic to a very small area around Riversdale, in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. Growing to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and broad, it is a perennial succulent with thick triangular leaves and small white tubular flowers held in 50 cm (20 in) tall racemes.
Haworthiopsis nigra, formerly Haworthia nigra, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
Haworthia bayeri is a species of the genus Haworthia in the family Asphodelaceae, endemic to the southern Cape Provinces in South Africa.
Haworthiopsis scabra, formerly Haworthia scabra, is a species of flowering succulent plant from arid regions of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
Haworthiopsis glauca, formerly Haworthia glauca, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, 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.
Tulista pumila ("Vratjiesaalwee") is a species of Tulista succulent plant, from the Western Cape, South Africa.
Tulista marginata is a species of Tulista succulent plant, from the Western Cape, South Africa.
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.
Aloeae is a tribe of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae of the family Asphodelaceae, consisting of the aloes and their close relatives. The taxon may also be treated as the subfamily Alooideae by those botanists who retain the narrower circumscription of Asphodelaceae adopted prior to the APG III system. Typically, plants have rosettes of more or less succulent leaves, with or without a distinct stem. Their flowers are arranged in racemes and tend to be either small and pale, pollinated by insects, or larger and more brightly coloured, pollinated by birds. As of 2017, 11 genera are recognized, most created since 2010 by splitting off another five genera from Aloe and another two from Haworthia. Only two genera, Aloe and Aloidendron, are native outside southern Africa, extending northwards to the Arabian Peninsula. Seven genera are restricted to South Africa, some with small ranges. Members of the Aloeae are cultivated by succulent plant enthusiasts; Aloe species especially are used in temperate climates as ornamental garden plants. Some species are used in traditional medicine. Aloe vera and Aloe ferox are cultivated for their extracts, whose uses include moisturizers and emollients in cosmetics.
Haworthiopsis is a genus of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae. The genus was previously included in Haworthia. Species in the genus are typically short perennial plants, with leaves often arranged in a rosette and frequently having raised white markings. The two-lipped flowers are borne on a tall stalk and are small – less than 17 mm (0.7 in) long – and pale in colour. Many species are cultivated as house plants or by succulent enthusiasts.