Gasteria ellaphieae
G. ellaphieaehas red flowers
Section Longiflorae, Series Multifariae
Gasteria ellaphieae is named after Ellaphie Ward-Hilhorst, the botanical artist who illustrated the first Gasteria book.
It grows in rock crevices of cliffs in the Kouga dam area. It can be recognized by its sharply pointed, rough leaves. New leaves are rising whilst later on they curve slightly downwards. The leaves are covered in numerous tubercles and feels rough.
G. ellaphieae, GA031, Kouga dam, ex EA
Plant shape
G. ellaphieae forms a small rozette while the juveniles are distichous.
Leaves are triangular in shape with numerous tubercles. The leaves are recurved downwards and pointy. The rozette has a diameter of no more than 12cm, usually smaller.
G. ellaphieae may be taken for a small G. barbae or batesiana, but remains small and the flowers are different.
G. ellaphieae produces offshoots from the base. It is a slow grower.
G. ellaphieae flowers. © photo unknown author.
Flowers
The flowers are the usual slender form of Section Longiflorae, series multifariae, bright red with a white green tube, 2.5-3cm long. The inflorescence is single or a branched panicle, no longer than 45cm.
Variability
G. ellaphieae does not have any described varieties or subspecies.
Where
G. ellaphieae grows in rocky terrain around the Kouga dam in rock crevices in a shady position. The climate is subtropical.
See also the distribution map.
More pics
G. ellaphieae , GA057, EVJ95.28, from seed ex EVJ
G. ellaphieae , GA148, Kouga dam