PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / ASPARAGALES / ASPHODELACEAE / ALOOIDEAE / GASTERIA / PULCHRA
Plants acaulescent, decumbent to erect, 200-360 mm tall and of the same diameter, solitary or proliferating from the base to form small groups. Roots succulent, up to 3 mm in diameter. Leaves distichous at first, becoming rosulate, rarely remaining distichous, 240-360 mm tall and 25-40 mm broad at the base, erectly spreading often falcate, linear-ensiform to linear-acuminate, tapering semi-terete to triangular in cross section; adaxial surface distinctly channelled, becoming more so during the dry season, plane towards apex; abaxial surface somewhat convex, with an indistinct excentric keel; both surfaces dark green with dense white spots, arranged in transverse bands; epidermis smooth, rarely slightly tuberculate; margin cartilaginous, serrulate; apex acute or acuminate, mucronate. Juvenile leaves distichous, erectly spreading, lorate, acuminate, distinctly tuberculate, mucronate. Inflorescence an erect to erectlv spreading lax panicle 0.35-1.50 m tall, rarely simple when plants are small and later with a pair of erectly spreading side branches; scape 5-10 mm at the base; branched from the upper half; side branches 2-8, erectly spreading each bearing 15-50 flowers; bracts 10-12 mm long, 4 mm broad at the base; floral bracts 6-7 mm long, 2 mm broad at the base; pedicel 7-8 mm long. Perianth 18-25 mm long stipitate for 2 mm, gasteriform basally for more than half its length, thence constricted to a tube of 4-4.5 mm in diameter; gasteriform portion 6-7 mm in diameter, narrow to globose-elliptic, reddish pink, tube light to dark pink; apices white, rarely pink erectly spreading obtuse, with green median stripes; inner segments channelled for the length of the gasteriform portion. Stamens 16-22 mm long; anthers 2 mm long, included. Ovary 5-8 mm long, 2-2.5 mm in diameter, style included; stigma minute, becoming capitate after anthesis. Capsule 12-27 mm long, 7 mm in diameter. Seeds oblong, 2-5 mm long, 2-3 mm wide. Flowering time July to November, but with a peak in September and October. From: Van Jaarsveld, EJ. 1994. Gasterias of South Africa: a new revision of a major succulent group. Fernwood Press, Cape Town. [All rights reserved]
Succulent, perennial herb; acaulescent, rosettes decumbent to erect, 0.20-0.36 m high, up to 0.6 m in diam., solitary or proliferating from base to form small groups. Leaves distichous, mostly becoming rosulate, dark green, with dense white spots arranged in transverse bands, 240-360 mm long, 25-40 mm wide at base, erectly spreading, linear-ensiform to linear-acuminate, tapering, distinctly channelled, surface smooth, apex acute or acuminate, mucronate, margins serrulate. Inflorescence branched or rarely simple, erect to erectly spreading, 0.35-1.50 m high. Flowers 18-25 mm long, basally gasteriform for more than half its length, gasteriform portion reddish pink, tube light to dark pink with green striations. Flowering time July-Nov., peak in Sept., Oct. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF; Bayer, MB; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Asphodelaceae. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(3): 1647-1680. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
Acaulescent succulent to 1.5 m. Leaves smooth, linear-triangular, in a spiral rosette, margins and keels toothed. Flowers in an inclined, usually branched raceme, nodding, reddish, inflated below. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asphodelaceae: Gasteria Duval. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 74-75. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
Gasteria pulchra is variable, especially in leaf size, colour and shape. It is characterized by its acaulescent rosette of distinctly channelled, erect to erectly spreading, linear-triangular leaves, obscurely triangular in cross section. The species is further distinguished by its lax panicles with erectly spreading side branches and its reddish pink perianth that is 18-22 mm long. It may be confused with narrow-leaved forms of G. acinacifolia, but the latter is a coastal species, much larger in size and with a differently shaped perianth. In the past the name G. acinacifolia was often wrongly applied to G. pulchra. As with other members of the section Multifariae, the juvenile leaves are tuberculate and this characteristic may rarely persist to the adult stage. G. pulchra is related to G. excelsa and G. nitida, but the first of these differs in that it has larger triangular-lanceolate leaves (margin sharply serrulate) and its flowering time is December to January. G. nitida differs by its short, triangular to triangular-lanceolate leaves (margin entire) and bright reddish pink perianth, which is yellowish at the apex. The habitats of the two species are very different and the plants do not occur together. G. pulchra has also been confused with narrow-leaved forms of G. bicolor, but the latter is distinguished by its foliate stem and smooth juvenile leaves. From: Van Jaarsveld, EJ. 1994. Gasterias of South Africa: a new revision of a major succulent group. Fernwood Press, Cape Town. [All rights reserved]
The plants are confined mainly to soils derived from Mesozoic conglomerates of the Uitenhage Group (Enon Formation). The main distribution area has hills and rocky outcrops densely vegetated with valley bushveld. G. pulchra grows in shady positions on well-drained, acid soils rich in humus. The rainfall, 200-400 mm annually, occurs during both summer and winter. The climate is very hot in summer, but mild and frost-free in winter. Plants observed in their natural habitat near Hankey were scattered on a hilltop in the shade of dense, short, thorny scrub, 1-3 m tall. From: Van Jaarsveld, EJ. 1994. Gasterias of South Africa: a new revision of a major succulent group. Fernwood Press, Cape Town. [All rights reserved]
Valley bushveld. Albany Thicket. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF; Bayer, MB; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Asphodelaceae. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(3): 1647-1680. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
Valley bushveld. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asphodelaceae: Gasteria Duval. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 74-75. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
Gasteria pulchra has been recorded in the Gamtoos River valley and adjacent regions of the eastern Cape. From: Van Jaarsveld, EJ. 1994. Gasterias of South Africa: a new revision of a major succulent group. Fernwood Press, Cape Town. [All rights reserved]
Hankey to Humansdorp. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF; Bayer, MB; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Asphodelaceae. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(3): 1647-1680. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
Hankey to Humansdorp. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asphodelaceae: Gasteria Duval. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 74-75. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]
July to November
0 to 305 m
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature
FSA
SA
BOT
NAM
ESW
LES
WC
EC
NC
FS
GA
KZN
LP
MP
NW
Absent
Indigenous
Endemic
Naturalised
Invasive
Names and Sources
Aloe maculata Thunb. var. pulchra Aiton
Aloe pulchra (Aiton) Jacq.
Gasteria poellnitziana H.Jacobsen
Aloe obliqua DC.
Published in: Pl. Hist. Succ.: t. 91 (1802)
Aloe maculata Ker Gawl., nom.illegit., non All. (1773), nec Thunb. (1785)
Published in: Bot. Mag. 20: t. 765 (1804)
Classification
KINGDOM Plantae
SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae
PHYLUM Anthophyta
ORDER Asparagales
FAMILY Asphodelaceae
SUBFAMILY Alooideae
GENUS Gasteria
SPECIES pulchra
30 results for Gasteria pulchra (Aiton) Haw.
Barcode: NBG0142460-0 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 1849 | 1970--
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape region. Steytlerville. Gamtoos River Valley.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0476184-0 Collector(s) & number: Bayliss, RDA, BRI.B 7001 | 1975-4-19
South Africa, Eastern Cape, CRADOCK ROAD
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0241060-0 Collector(s) & number: Holland, FH, PRE 45553 | 1935-9-10
South Africa, Eastern Cape, HUMANSDORP DIST; HANKEY
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0124380-1 Collector(s) & number: Bayer, MB, s.n. | 1976--
South Africa, Eastern Cape, 10 miles South of Hankey.
General notes: Pressed ex Hort. Karoo Botanic Garden 1982.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0067465-0 Collector(s) & number: Unknown, s.n. | 1943-10-6
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Adelaide Dist. Klein Winterberg.
General notes: Hort. Kirstenbosch. Rockery.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0727595-0 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 1849 | 1984-10-29
South Africa, Eastern Cape, STEYTLERVILLE; HUMANSDORP; ANDRIESKRAAL ROAD
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0241043-0 Collector(s) & number: McEwan, O, PRE 45533 | 1968--
South Africa, Eastern Cape, KOUGA DAM
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0067486-0 Collector(s) & number: Unknown, s.n. | 1943-10-6
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Humansdorp Dist. Gamtoos Valley.
General notes: Leaves distichous. Hort. Kirstenbosch. Rockery.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0036390-0 Collector(s) & number: Kramer, JC, 361 | --
South Africa, Eastern Cape, HUMANSDORP DIST.; C. 17 MI. FROM HUMANSDORP IN E. DIRECTION, FARM C. 5 MI. FROM NATIONAL ROAD.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0124214-0 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 1849 | --
South Africa, Eastern Cape, 17 miles north of Humansdorp on road to Andrieskraal.
General notes: Amongst bushes on top of hill. Pressed ex Kirstenbosch 1979-11-16.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0770841-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Jaarsveld, EJ, 12560 | 1992-8-1
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kleurkloof, Gamtoosvallei, Patensie.
General notes: Valley Bushveld, sheer cliff face above pool. Cluster forming, young plants densely spotted.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0101899-0 Collector(s) & number: Bayliss, RDA, 6262 | 1974-1-16
South Africa, Eastern Cape, E Cape. Near Patensie. Kleinfontein.
General notes: Alt. 1200 ft. Karroid. In semi shade. Mature leaves to some 21", keeled and tend to fold. Flower stem to some 30", much branched. Flowers narrow, dusty orange, green tipped. Local.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0750465-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Jaarsveld, EJ, 9892 | 1989-4-13
South Africa, Eastern Cape, VENSTERHOEK
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0067425-0 Collector(s) & number: Smith, GG, 3842 | 1942-10-23
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Albany Dist. Pluto's Vale.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0124380-2 Collector(s) & number: Bayer, MB, s.n. | 1976--
South Africa, Eastern Cape, 10 miles South of Hankey.
General notes: Pressed ex Hort. Karoo Botanic Garden 1982.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0086716-0 Collector(s) & number: Hechter, A, G.2 | 1965-9-
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth Dist. Gamtoos River Valley.
General notes: Somewhat larger plants are found under bushes in shade, smaller in open.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0124382-1 Collector(s) & number: Stayner, FJ, s.n. | 1971-5-15
South Africa, Eastern Cape, 4 miles to Cambria, Groot River Poort.
General notes: Pressed ex Hort. Karoo Botanic Garden 1982.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0127083-0 Collector(s) & number: Stayner, FJ, 53 | --
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Steytlerville. 2 miles north of Hamberg.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0794013-0 Collector(s) & number: Bayliss, RDA, BS 6262 | 1974-1-16
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kleinfontein near Patensie.
General notes: Det: E. van Jaarsveld
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0712058-0 Collector(s) & number: Stayner, FJ, 53 | --
South Africa, Eastern Cape, STEYTLERVILLE; 2 M NORTH OF HAMBURG.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0124382-2 Collector(s) & number: Stayner, FJ, s.n. | 1971-5-15
South Africa, Eastern Cape, 4 miles to Cambria, Groot River Poort.
General notes: Pressed ex Hort. Karoo Botanic Garden 1982.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0142459-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Jaarsveld, EJ, 6193 | 1984--
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape region. Steytlerville. Gamtoos River Valley, 12 km from Loerie to Hankey.
General notes: Occurring in shade of a dense thorny scrub, in humus rich soils. Plants prolific from the base to form small dense groups.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0067423-0 Collector(s) & number: Malherbe, N.B.G. 659/41 | 1943-5-17
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Albany Dist. Grahamstown.
General notes: Hort. Kirstenbosch. Nursery. Leaf dark green with white immersed spots.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0273807-0 Collector(s) & number: Henderson, MR, s.n. | 1944-10-6
South Africa, Western Cape, Hort. Kirstenbosch. Rock Garden.
General notes: Hort. Kirstenbosch. Rock Garden. Photo: M.R. Henderson, Negative No.619.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: NBG0067424-0 Collector(s) & number: Smith, GG, N.B.G. 299/42 | 1943-6-14
South Africa, Eastern Cape, Albany Dist. Pluto's Vale.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
2019
SERIES CHAPTER
Asphodelaceae Klopper, RR; Smith, GF; Bayer, MB; Bredenkamp, CLIn: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(3)1647-1680
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria
2012
SERIES CHAPTER
Asphodelaceae: Gasteria Duval. Manning, JC; Goldblatt, PIn: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 74-75
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria
2007
PERIODICAL/JOURNAL
The genus Gasteria: A synoptic review (new taxa and combinations) Van Jaarsveld, EJAloe 44(4)84-102
2000
FLORA
Aloe Glen, HF; Hardy, DSIn: G Germishuizen & E du Plessis (eds), Aloaceae (first part). Flora of Southern Africa 5(1),11-167
National Botanical Institute, Pretoria
1994
BOOK
Gasterias of South Africa: a new revision of a major succulent group Van Jaarsveld, EJFernwood Press, Cape Town
1990
PERIODICAL/JOURNAL
Gasteria pulchra (Aiton) Haw. Van Jaarsveld, EJ; Ward-Hilhorst, JEFlowering Plants of Africa 51: , t.2013
1929
PERIODICAL/JOURNAL
Gasteria pulchra Haw. Phillips, EP; Letty, CLFlowering Plants of South Africa 9: , t.360
1923
PERIODICAL/JOURNAL
The genera Aloe and Mesembryanthemum as represented in Thunberg's herbarium Brown, NEBothalia 1(1-3)139-169
No results found for Gasteria pulchra (Aiton) Haw.
Status and criteria
LC
Assessor(s)
Plantae Coordinator
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