Gasteria loedolffiae

G. loedoffiae

Section Longiflorae, Series Longifoliae

Gasteria loedoffiae is another very big Gasteria which has been found in 2002 on the riverine cliffs of the Mzimvubu and Msikaba Rivers in the Eastern Cape. This area lies between the distribution areas of G. excelsa and G. croucheri

It resembles G. excelsa but differs from it due to it's dull green coloured and narrower leaves.

Gasteria loedoffiae has been named after the botanist Jeanette Loedolff.

G. loedolffiae is a true cremnophyte
© photo probably Ernst Van Jaarsveld

Plant shape

G. loedolffiae grows into a large rozette with a cross section of 60cm or more.

Leaves are elongated triangular in shape up to25cm in lenght and 6cm broad at the base. They curve slightly.

The leaf surface is smooth and dull olive green in base colour without any spots. Leaf margins have small serrated teeth. The leaf tip has a small tooth.

G. loedolffiae produces offshoots from the base to form groups

G. loedolffiae flowers

Flowers

The inflorescence is branched and flattopped up to 1m long.

The flowers are dark pink throughout and between 2-3cm long. In that regard they resemble G. excelsa flowers which are also not very large. Pollinated by sunbirds.

Variability

G. loedolffiae does not have any described varieties or subspecies.

Where

G. loedolffiae occurs on sheer cliff faces of the Mzimvubu and Msikaba Rivers in the Eastern Cape's Pondoland region. It seems endemic to these two river systems. It grows in shade as in full sun.

More pics

GA095, G. loedolffiae? I got this this plant under a completely wrong name, but it is the spitting image of the photos in situ of G. loedolffiae: dull green smooth leaves, faintly spotted. Leaves have a tendency to curve sideways. But - perhaps because it is grown in full ground - it is even bigger than described, by now more than 1 meter across.

G. loedolffiae.