Gasteria vlokii
G. vlokii forms a flat rozette
Section Longiflorae, Series Multifariae
Gasteria vlokii forms a small, flat rozette with spotted leaves.
It is named after Jan Vlok, the discoverer of this species. He found it on the eastern slopes of the Waboomsberg, part of the Swartberg range.
It grows at an altitude of 1000-1500m and is therefore the only Gasteria that doesn't grow at lower elevations.
It is a slow growing but pretty plant that is ideal for colder climates.
G. vlokii, GA204, Tuinkloof, CG057
Plant shape
G. vlokii forms a small rozette with firm and leathery leaves that always remain flat.
Leaves are 5 to 9cm long, dark blue green of base colour with numerous white spots. The leaves are smooth and convex when turgid, slightly channelled when dry. A keel develops in the top part of the leaf, but twists aside. The leaves also have a tendency to curve downwards into a sicle shape.
G. vlokii having a small rozette, may be mistaken for G. ellaphiae but the latter has a rough leaf surface and younger leaves grow upright.
G. vlokii is hesitant to produce offshoots. It is a slow grower.
G. vlokii flower
Flowers
The flowers are slender with a bright red gasteriform part and a white-green tube.
They are 2.5 -3.5 cm long and very similar to those of G. ellaphiae but slightly larger. . The inflorescence is single, 30- 45cm long
Variability
G. vlokii does not have any described varieties or subspecies.
Where
G. vlokii grows in rocky terrain at higher altitude in the Swartberg range. There are now two distinct localities who are 250km apart: along the top of the Waboomberg in the East and on the Witteberg north of Willowmore. The soils are derived from quartzite and therefore sandy and acidic. G. vlokii is one of those species that grow rather well in pure pumice.
The climate is cool in winter with some frost and hot in summer. Therefore G. vlokii can withstand cold conditions without any problem. Rainfall is rather high but the rock fissures it grows in dry out very quickly.
See also the distribution map.
More pics
G. vlokii , GA053, EVJ95.31, seed from type plant
G. vlokii in habitat, Swartberg
© Photo unknown author