Haworthiopsis venosa explained

Haworthiopsis venosa, formerly Haworthia venosa, known in Afrikaans as venstertjie, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Haworthiopsis belonging to the family Asphodelaceae, native to Namibia and South Africa.

Naming and taxonomy

The genus name Haworthiopsis means "like Haworthia", which honors the British botanist Adrian Hardy Haworth (1767–1833), while the species epithet venosa means "veined".[1]

The species was previously included in Haworthia subgenus Hexangulares. Phylogenetic studies demonstrated that subgenus Hexangulares was actually relatively unrelated to other haworthias and so it was moved to the new genus Haworthiopsis.[2] [3]

Description

It is a mat-forming succulent evergreen perennial reaching 8- in height. Stemless rosettes of 12–15 fleshy, triangular, lanceolate, dark green leaves show a few pale green lines along the upper surfaces and small teeth along the margins.

In spring (November to December) it bears 15cm (06inches) long stems of green-white, tubular flowers in racemes.[4]

Distribution

This species occurs over a large area, from the inland Karoo and Namibia to as far south as the northern part of the Breede River valley. Here it occurs on rocky slopes.

Cultivation

In cultivation it requires a minimum temperature of 10C, so is grown under glass in temperate locations.[5]

Haworthia venosa subsp. tesselata has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Harrison, Lorraine. RHS Latin for gardeners. 2012. Mitchell Beazley. United Kingdom. 9781845337315. 224.
  2. 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
  3. Web site: All about Haworthia.
  4. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. 2008. Dorling Kindersley. United Kingdom. 978-1405332965. 1136.
  5. http://haworthia-gasteria.blogspot.com/2008/02/haworthia-venosa.html Haworthia venosa - Information page at Haworthia-Gasteria
  6. Web site: Haworthia venosa subsp. tesselata . www.rhs.org . Royal Horticultural Society . 21 July 2020.