Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Asphodelaceae Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Asphodeloideae | |
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Similar Haworthia nigra, Haworthia pygmaea, Haworthia sordida, Haworthia coarctata, Haworthia viscosa | ||
Haworthia scabra is a species of flowering succulent plant from arid regions of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
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Description
H.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.
Varieties
The flowers typically appear in November and December.
Taxonomy
Within the genus Haworthia, the species forms part of the subgenus Hexangulares. More specifically, it falls within section Trifariae ("Three-tiered") together with its close relative Haworthia sordida (and its other relatives Haworthia nigra and Haworthia viscosa).
Recent phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that subgenus Hexangulares is actually relatively unrelated to other Haworthias (being more closely related to Gasterias. It will therefore comprise a new, separate genus, Haworthiopsis, and this species will accordingly become "Haworthiopsis scabra".
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.