Gasteria disticha
G. disticha
Section Gasteria, Series Gasteria
Gasteria disticha is one of the first Gasteria to reach Europe in the 17th century . It was painted as Aloe africana rubre flora by Jan Moninckx.
Gasteria disticha grows in an dry area from below the Langeberg into the little Karoo and beyond the Swartberge in the Great Karoo. Most disticha are of a modest size, only hte var. robusta gets much bigger.
It grows slowly.
Aloe Africana rubre flora, by Jan Monickx. See the online Monickx altlas index with numerous high quality images of these books.
These 400 year old botanical drawings are amazing: the flowers, the fruits, the shape of the leaves: this is G. disticha, no doubt
G. disticha, GA385, Tierberg
Plant shape
Plants remain distichous.
Leaves have an asperulous surface with numerous paler spots. They are strap shaped and in most forms do not become longer than 15cm. The end is usually rounded with a small tooth.
The margin has tiny white 'pearls' on it. Margins are typically "wavy' with several folds in the leaf.
Because of their similar dotted and asperulous surface, G. pillansii and G. disticha are often confused. However the flowers are totally different.
Flowers G. disticha
Flowers
Inflorescence up to 90cm tall, simple or some side branches. A lot of flowers on the inflorescence.
Flowers reddish pink, tube white with a green striation, 1.2-2cm. Flowers are variable with plants from the South having more elongated flowers and those from the north, very short and compact ones.
They are edible and taste of fresh peas.
Variability
For the moment only one described variety
G. disticha var robusta
© Photo Walker Young
G. disticha var. robusta
Is a large sturdy form from north of the Swartberge ( Beaufort West) with broad leaves.
It can stand a lot more sun than other Gasteria.
Where
G. brachyphylla grows widespread in the Little Karoo from Brandrivier in the west to Willowmore in the east. Usually on slopes in shaded valleys.
See the distribution map.
More pics
G. disticha from Tondeldoos shows very wavy margins. GA341, CG280.2
G. disticha Worcester area
© Photo Andries Cilliers
G. disticha var. disticha , Wederom,
in the babylonstoren collection
YO823, a Japanese cultivar. Is it a form of disticha? or rather a brachyphylla var. bayeri?
© Plant Cok Grootscholten
G. disticha var. robusta previously labelled as G. beckeri
© Plant Cok Grootscholten
G. disticha var. disticha in habitat S. of Worcester
© photo by Tony Roberts
GA035, G. disticha var. robusta, an old plant kept indoors
G. disticha var. robusta at Beaufort West
© photo by Tony Roberts