Gasteria armstrongii
G. armstrongii
Section Longiflorae, Series Multifariae
Gasteria armstrongii has been a very popular plant for a long time, even with hardened cactus lovers, probably because of its compact growth form.
It is certainly related to G. nitida who has a very similar juvenile form but who develops into a full-blown rozette as an adult. In fact it was once regarded as a variety of the latter, but then described as a species of it's own.
It is hard to confuse with other species, but a juvenile G. nitida is almost indistinghuishable from G. armstrongii. An adult G.nitida however is much bigger and forms a clear rozette.
Another dwarf species which may look a bit similar is G. brachyphylla var. bayeri. But his one does not the acute leaf tips and the tubercles and the flowers are completely different (Section Gasteria, Series Gasteria).
© cover photo Jacquie Koutsoudis.
G. armstrongii in situ.
© Photo Jacquie Koutsoudis
Plant shape
G. armstrongii is a dwarf Gasteria that remains more or less distichous. (Some older plants may show signs of turning). They give shoots and can form a big cluster.
Leaves have a triangular broad strap shape with an acute sharp tip. They are up to 5-6cm long and ± 3cm wide. The base colour is dark green, there are some forms with paler bands across the leaf. It may colour reddish in full sun.
The upper leaf surface usually has many tubercles but some forms exist with an entirely smooth surface as well. The leaf has a channel towards the base.
The plant resembles the many pebbles in the soil it grows in. In dry conditions it may retract into the soil.
G. armstrongii has a uniform red and slender flower. GA270
Flowers
The inflorescense is a single raceme of max 50cm long which is dark below but becomes bright red towards the end.
Flowers are slender and medium sized, 2-3cm, bright red throughout, a hint of yellow at the tip. The gasteriform part is more than ½ of the flower length.
Pollinated by sunbirds.
Variability
G. armstrongii has no described varieties.
However it suffers from 'collectors wishful thinking':
although there is a considerable variability amongst wild populations, collectors will discard any form that doesn't correspond to their idea of what an armstrongii should look like. Their reaction will be 'it is not a real armstrongii'.
This is a pitty off course, because unconsciencely they make an 'unnatural selection'....
Where
G. armstrongii grows along the lower valleys of the Gamtoos and Kabeljau rivers in old riverine sediments.
The climate is warm temperate humid (Cfb) close to the Indian ocean coast but grades quickly into a hot arid steppe climate (BSh) further inland. Rainfall is rather low.
See also the distribution map.
More pics
G. armstrongii from Kabeljau river, GA036. Bought as G. nitida var. armstrongii.
G. armstrongii in the wild.
Photo unknown author.