Gasteria rawlinsonii
G. rawlinsonii is unmistakeable
Section Gasteria, Series Gasteria
Gasteria rawlinsonii is another well known plant in collections.
It is a true cliff hanger which grows on sheer cliffs in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape.G. rawlinsonii is appreciated by baboons but because of its habitat even they can only rarely get to it.
It is also a perfect plant for a hanging pot.
G. rawlinsonii leaves positioned like a ladder.
Plant shape
G. rawlinsonii is immediately recognized by its leaves which are placed in a slowly turning ladder shape. In some forms the plane of leaves is more or less flat while others spiral much more.
The stem of leaves may reach a length of a metre or more and hangs down the cliff. Plants form big clumps.
Leaves are strap shaped, about 3-10cm long. At the end several small teeth may be present on the leaf margin. With age these teeth turn black.
The leaf surface is asperulous on a pale green background. Sometimes pale spots may be present.
G. rawlinsonii flower
Flowers
The inflorescence is unbranched and up to 30cm long.
The flowers are variable in length, 1.5-2.5cm long, with a pink gasteriform part and a white or pink tube with darker striations.
Variability
G. rawlinsonii is quite variabele, although it doesn't have any described varieties or subspecies.
Plants from the Gert Smitskloof have the typical ladder shape with rather short pale green leaves. However in almost any side ravine one can find G. rawlinsonii, all a little different from another. Some dark green with long leaves and spiralling, other are much more robust and spotted.
Where
G. rawlinsonii is endemic to the Baviaanskloof area and grows in almost all the narrow side ravines. The Baviaanskloof is a remote valley in the Western Cape and is formed by a long broad valley with numerous very narrow side ravines. These enter the mountain deeply and can be as wide as 100 m or 1m. Rocks on either side rise vertically up into the sky and host a multitude of cremnophytes. G. rawlinsonii is usually seen hanging high up the rocks on the shay side of the ravine. Sometimes pieces have been ripped up by baboons and lie rotting on the valley floor.
Binoculars are advised.
See also the distribution map.
More pics
G. rawlinsonii clumps high up the rocks
G. rawlinsonii in Abbey Brooks nursery
plant hanging down the cliff.
© Photo James Deacon
G. rawlinsonii large spiralling form, CG591,2, GA251.2
G. rawlinsonii in hanging baskets
G. rawlinsonii, inflorescence
© plant and photo Tony Roberts