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Gasteria are popular indoor, succulent, aloe-like plants
and are easily grown. They are mainly from South Africa (one species
just entering southern Namibia) and the greatest concentration occurs
in the thicket vegetation of the Eastern Cape. The flowers are nectar-rich
and edible.
Description
Gasteria croucheri is a solitary or cluster-forming plant,
up to 400 mm high, with ascending, spreading leaves. It sometimes
forms small clusters of up to 8 individuals or more. The leaves
occur in opposite rows or rosettes, are tapering, strap-shaped,
200-360 mm long, and 30-100 mm broad at the base, with a smooth
but mottled skin (epidermis), the top rounded with a short, pointed
mucro. The leaves in young plants are always opposite (distichous),
some are rough (tuberculate) and look quite different to the smooth
adult leaves.
The flowers are borne on a spreading, flat-topped panicle (flower
stalk), 500 mm tall, which is a simple raceme when young. Its tubular
flowers are 28-50 mm long. The fruit capsule is 18-25 mm long. Flowering
time is from late spring to summer.
Distribution
Gasteria croucheri has a wide distribution from the Mzimvubu
River in the Eastern Cape to Durban in central KwaZulu-Natal. It
is mainly confined to cliff faces, growing in quartzitic sandstone
rock formations (rarely on shale), also on rocky outcrops among
leaf litter in subtropical shrub forest adjacent to the river valleys.
The climate is moderate, without frost, and hot and humid during
summers. Rainfall is mainly during the warmer summer months ranging
between 1 000 to 1 250 mm per annum. Winters are dry but with the
occasional cold fronts and ample winter rain.
Derivative of name and historical aspects
Gasteria croucheri was first collected and introduced
into cultivation by Thomas Cooper in 1860. It was named by Hooker
in 1880. In 1869 he had described it as Aloe croucheri in
Curtis's Botanical Journal stating, "This, the handsomest Gasteria
of the kind that has hitherto flowered at Kew, is named after the
intelligent foreman of the propagating department, Mr Croucher,
under whose care the succulent plants of the Royal Garden are placed,
and to whose zeal and special love for this class of plant the collection
owes much of its value and interest."
Gasteria not only looks aloe-like but also belongs to the
Aloe family, Aloaceae. It is immediately differentiated from other
members of this family (Aloe, Haworthia, Astroloba, Poellnitzia)
by its pendent flower stalks and tummy-like (gasteriform), pendent
flowers.
Ecology
Gasteria croucheri, like all the other gasterias, has tubular
flowers rich in nectar, pollinated by sunbirds.
Uses
Most Gasteria species thrive in cultivation, both indoors
and outdoors. In Gasteria bicolor
var. liliputatana, it was mentioned that some are used
for medicinal purposes and G. croucheri is a popular plant
in KwaZulu-Natal. The plants are sometimes placed on the roofs of
dwellings in the Eastern Cape, with the belief that the lightning
will not strike the house. The Zulu people use parts of the plants
in faction fights, believing that it will make them partly camouflaged
so the enemy will not see them.
Growing Gasteria croucheri
Propagation
Gasteria croucheri is easily propagated from division, leaf
cuttings or seed. Seed can be sown during spring or summer. In cultivation,
Gasteria flowers must be cross pollinated to produce seed. Capsules
soon abort when not pollinated. .Sow in a sandy, well-drained potting
soil in a warm, shady position in standard seed trays. Germination
is within three weeks and the seedlings are slow growing. Cover
with a thin layer of sand (1-2 mm), keep moist and the seedlings
can be planted out in individual bags as soon as they are large
enough to handle. Flowering occurs within 3-4 years. Leaves can
also be placed in potting soil. After removing the leaf, let it
lie for about one month in order to heal. Lay it on its side with
the basal parts in the soil. It should root within a month or two
and a small plant will proliferate from the base. It can be planted
out as soon as it is large and firm enough to handle.
Cultivation
Gasteria croucheri grows well as a pot or container plant
on windowsills, verandas or in rocky, succulent gardens. The plants
prefer partial or dappled shade. They are tolerant towards other
plant species and often share their habitat with other smaller succulent
plants. They thrive well on any organic feeding. The plants are
not frost-tolerant but would survive light frost. Plant on the shady
side of rocks or below shrubs. It can grow in a wide range of soil
and also even grows well in the winter rainfall Western Cape gardens
where it should be moistened during the dry summer months. It can
be divided at any time of the year. Gasterias are fairly pest free,
and may occasionally be attacked by the Aloe snout weevil. Overwatering
will also lead to fungal infections and rot. Another attractive
species to be consider for cultivation is Gasteria
polita.
References and further reading
- Hooker, J. D. 1869. Curtis's Botanical Magazine.t.5812
- Van Jaarsveld, E.J. 1994. Gasterias of South Africa.
Fernwood Press, Cape Town
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Ernst van Jaarsveld
Kirstenbosch NBG
June 2004 |
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