Clade Monocots Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms | |
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Similar Gasteria baylissiana, Gasteria ellaphieae, Gasteria carinata, Gasteria brachyphylla, Gasteria bicolor | ||
Gasteria disticha is succulent plant native to the Western Cape, South Africa.
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Description
This species of Gasteria has its strap-shaped leaves in two opposite rows (distichous), from whence its Latin species name comes. In its vegetative appearance, it looks very similar to the closely related species Gasteria pillansii to the north, and Gasteria brachyphylla to the south-east, both of which are also distichous.
However the flowers are different, with G.disticha having tiny flowers of just 12-20 mm which have flower bases that are inflated or swollen for roughly two-thirds of the flower length. G.disticha often has leaves that undulate slightly, with wavy margins and a rough, mat surface.
It is proliferous, with pink flowers and appears between September and December.
Distribution
It occurs in the Robertson Karoo vegetation of the Breede River Vally in the Western Cape, South Africa. It also extends marginally into the verges of the Great Karoo.
In its natural habitat, it is typically found under rocks or bushes that provide it with some shelter from the sun.