Accepted Scientific Name: Haworthia angustifolia Haw.
Philos. Mag. J. 67: 283 1825.
Haworthia angustifolia var. liliputana Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: North of Calitzdorp, North of Mossel Bay, Cape Province, South Africa.
Habitat: It grows on mountain tops among grass, in rock cracks or under small bushes. Sometimes only leaves tips are visible above the soil.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Haworthia angustifolia
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Narrow-leaved Haworthia
Description: Haworthia angustifolla var. liliputana is a very dwarf and low-growing form of Haworthia angustifolla with tight spiny growth forming a small mat or bushy clump.
Habit: It is a modest perennial rosette-succulent that branches profusely.
Rosettes: Stemless 2-4 cm in diameter with about 20 long narrow upturned leaves.
Leaves: 2-4(-6) cm long and about 5 mm wide, yellowy/pale/dull or dark green to brownish, accuminate, lanceolate, thin, tapered and somewhat flaccid ; tip with a whitish bristle; upper surface with a prominent central line and 5-7 indistinct longitudinal lines, rough from a covering of tiny tubercles; lower surface convex weakly keeled; margins and keel minutely ciliate with tiny teeth.
Inflorescence (racemes): Small, up to 20 cm tall, usually unbranched, few-flowered (mostly with 8-10 flowers), peduncle simple, pedicels very short, bracts small, deltoid. The flowers are white, pinkish or matte reddish.
Blooming season: Spring.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Haworthia angustifolia group
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Gordon D. Rowley “The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents” Crown Publishers, 01/Aug/1978
2) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons” Springer, 2001
3) Charles L. Scott “The genus Haworthia (Liliaceae): a taxonomic revision” Aloe Books, 1985
4) Stuart Max Walters “The European Garden Flora: Pteridophyta, Gymbospermae, Angiospermae-Monocotyledons” Cambridge University Press, 1984
5) M. B. Bayer “The new Haworthia handbook” National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, 1982
6) John Pilbeam “Haworthia and Astroloba: A Collector's Guide” B. T. Batsford Limited, 1983
7) Raimondo, D. & Cholo, F. 2008. Haworthia angustifolia Haw. var. angustifolia. National Assessment: "Red List of South African Plants" version 2013.1. Accessed on 2014/03/09
8) Bruce Bayer “Haworthia revisited: a revision of the genus” Umdaus Press, 1999
9) M. B. Bayer “The new Haworthia handbook” National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, 19
10) Bayer, M.B and van Jaarsveld, E. 2001. ”Haworthia. in Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons.” Springer, Berlin.
11) Haworthia angustifolia var. angustifolia <http://haworthia-gasteria.blogspot.it>. Downloaded on 09 March 2014.
12) Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. “List of species of southern African plants.” Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. 1), 1–270(pt. 2).
Cultivation and Propagation: Haworthia angustifoliaSN|16862]]SN|16862]] can be very easily propagated by offsetts. They are of easy cultivation and relatively low maintenance, which makes them a good houseplant, and can be an excellent subject for the beginning succulentophile (they can grow easily on window sills, verandas and in miniature succulent gardens where they are happy to share their habitat with other smaller succulent plants, or in outdoor rockeries). Haworthias are winter growers and are dormant in the hottest summer months.
Growth rate: They are relatively fast-growing plants that offsets freely to form small clusters quickly.
Soil: They are tolerant of a wide range of soils and habitats, but prefer a very porous potting mix to increase drainage. A non-acid soil is ideal. You can grow a plant in a 10-15 cm pot for years and have perfectly happy plants. For best results, use a shallow pot.
Exposition: The plant needs light shade to shade, but will take full sun part of the day. (with some sun exposure the leaf develops a nice reddish tint and remains compact)
Watering: During the hot summer months, the soil should be kept moist but not overly wet. During the winter months, water only when the soil becomes completely dry. Wet soil quickly causes root and stem rot, especially during chilly winter months. . No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Low ambient humidity is always needed.
Fertilization: The plants are fertilized only once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength.
Hardiness: Although the plant will survive mild frost if kept dry (hardy as low as -5° C) it should be protected from severe cold and prolonged frost conditions.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Haworthia if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. Care must be given in watering, keeping them warm and wet while growing, and cooler and dry when dormant.
Remarks: Haworthias are best planted in a shaded and airy part of the greenhouse, and not too close to the glass roof or sides of the house as the plants can overheat during hot spells.
Propagation: Haworthia are easily propagated by the removal of offshoots in spring or summer. They can also be grown from seed.
Haworthia angustifolia var. liliputana Uitewaal
