Gasteria glauca
G. glauca has blueish leaves
Section Longifoliae, Series Multifariae
Gasteria glauca is a small plant described as a first new species after the publication of the Gasteria book by EVJ
It is a cliff-hanger found along the Kougariver at Guernakop, Eastern Cape. The climate in that area is Cfb, warm temperate humid.
Although I am not a fan of hybrids, using G. glauca in the mix usually produces offspring that retain the beautiful blue leaf colour.
G. glauca GA061, E.of Guernakop, Kouga river
Plant shape
G. glauca grows in a rozette although it takes a while from a juvenile distichous form.
Leaves are more or less strap shaped at first but become more elongated triangular with an acute point. The leaf surface is a bit warty with ill defined tubercles. The leaf surface is bluish green and can turn red in the sun.
G. glauca can be confused with some larger forms of G. glomerata having a similar leaf surface.
G. glauca produces numerous offshoots from the base and forms clusters
G. glauca flower, GA120
Flowers
The flowerstalk is single and about 20cm tall.
The flowers are 2.5-3cm, bright red with a yellow-green mouth.
Variability
G. glauca does not have any described varieties or subspecies given its restricted location
Where
G. glauca was collected from sheer, south-facing cliffs along the Kouga River, east of Guernakop, E. Cape by Ernst van Jaarsveld and Rob Welsh. The Kouga river (not to be confused with the Coega river east of PE) makes a tortuous journey from Ongelegen eastwards, then turns north through the Kouga mountains where it passes Guernakop, then turns south-east again before draining into the Kougadam at wich point it joins the Grootrivier and becomes the Gamtoos river which drains into the Indian ocean.
One might wonder if it intergrades with G.glomerata growing near the Kougadam 50km further along the river?
See also the distribution map.
More pics
G. glauca, E. of Guernakop, EVJ14670, GA409
G. glauca, near Guernakop, CG88.3, GA440