Haworthiopsis pungens explained

Haworthiopsis pungens, formerly Haworthia pungens, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Description

A proliferous, caulescent succulent, with sharp smooth dark green leaves, that grow in five (and occasionally three) rows. It forms spreading clumps. In its appearance it most resembles Astroloba rubriflora or Haworthiopsis viscosa (although the leaves of H. pungens are smooth and the plants are less upright in form).

The species name "pungens" means "sharp-pointed", and refers to the leaf-shape.

Taxonomy

The species was formerly placed in Haworthia subgenus Hexangulares. Phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that subgenus Hexangulares is actually relatively unrelated to other haworthias (being more closely related to Gasteria). The species was therefore moved to Haworthiopsis.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

This vulnerable species occurs in two localities within a small area in Langkloof, near Joubertina, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Here it grows on rocky conglomerate west-facing slopes in fynbos vegetation.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. 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
2. Web site: All about Haworthia.
3. Web site: Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants.
4. Web site: Haworthia Revisited - 52. Haworthia pungens - Haworthia Updates.