Gasteria armstrongii
| Gasteria armstrongii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Xanthorrhoeaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Gasteria |
| Species: | G. armstrongii |
| Binomial name | |
| Gasteria armstrongii | |
Gasteria armstrongii (Gasteria nitida var. armstrongii) is a dwarf succulent plant native to South Africa, in the genus Gasteria.[1]
Description
This slow-growing species is closely related to the similar, but much larger, Gasteria nitida species of the South African grasslands. (In some classification schemes, it is even classed as a variety within this species.) They are easily confused, but G.armstrongii can be distinguished by its very dark, spreading, distichous, roughly tuberculate leaves. Its inflorescences are also solitary. (G.nitida is much larger, with smooth leaves that grow in a rosette, not distichous. Its inflorescences are branched.)
Distribution
This species occurs in only a few spots in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Here is occurs along the Gamtoos river, in a vegetation typed named "Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld". Its habitat is a flat to hilly terrain rich in pebbles among which G. armstrongii is difficult to detect. The plants grow in full sun or are partially covered by small shrubs.
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