Gasteria doreeniae

G. doreeniae Swartwaterpoort

Section Gasteria, Series Gasteria

Gasteria doreeniae has been raised to species level in 2004, previously being described as G. bicolor var. liliputana 'Swartwater'.

It grows at Swartwaterspoort and was collected by Doreen Court, author of "Succulents of South Africa".

Plants are bigger and more sturdy than the typical G. bicolor var. liliputana. In my greenhouse they do not grow fast.

G. doreeniae usually remains distichous

Plant shape

G. doreeniae remains distichous although some may show a start of spiralling.

Leaves are about 1-2cm wide and reach a length of around 10cm. They always have a sharp tip. The leaf surface is smooth and may be shiny or slightly asperulous.

The leaf can have a few pale spots on a very dark green surface (dark form) or in some clones there are numerous pale spots combining in pale clusters (pale form).

At first sight G. doreeniae may be taken for a G. bicolor form.

G. doreeniae produces offshoots

G. doreeniae flower

Flowers

Flowers are very much like bicolor flowers, about 1.5cm long, pink with a white-green tube.

Where

G. doreeniae grows only at Swartwaterspoort in the Eastern Cape . Their habitat is shady rocky ledges.

See the distribution map.

Variability

G. doreeniae does not have any varieties or subspecies.

More pics

G. doreeniae GA214, a darker form