Accepted Scientific Name: Haworthia attenuata var. radula (Jacq.) M.B.Bayer
Haworthia Revisited 167 (1999)

Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: It is known only from a small area around Hankey (Humansdorp), in the Eastern Cape Province where it grows together with Haworthia attenuataSN|15017]]SN|2012]], Haworthia gracilisSN|2012]]SN|15017]], Gasteria pulchraSN|655]]SN|655]] and Aloe humilisSN|626]]SN|626]]. Unfortunately the small area where these plants grows has been almost destroyed due to agricultural activity (The 5 miles strip along the road, where the population used to grow was cleaned by the bulldozer... and left unexploited).
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Haworthia attenuata
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Hankey Dwarf Aloe
Description: H. attenuata var. radula differentiates from Haworthia attenuataSN|2012]]SN|2012]] because of smaller and more numerous tubercles whereas H. attenuata has fewer and larger tubercles. Moreover the leaves are more scabrid rather than tuberculate. It has also more slender and longer leaves. The many tubercles give the plant a silvery appereance.
Stem: Acaulescent.
Rosette: Flatly close to the soil up to 15 cm in diameter, forming clumps.
Leaves: About 7,5-8 cm long and 2 cm wide at base, erect, radiating, attenuate (tapering), green to brownish, very densely covered all over with minute white tubercles on both sides which are pretty much of the same size.
Inflorescence: Sparsely branched, lax, 24-30 cm tall.
Flowers: White with reddish-brown veins, flower-tube obcapitate. Tepals revolute.
Blooming season: November-December.
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Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Haworthia attenuata group
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Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apicra radula (Haworthia attenuata var. radula) Photo by: Giuseppe DistefanoCultivation and Propagation: It is an easy plant that usually does not give many problems in cultivation. Needs light shade to filtered sun, but will redden with more light exposure. Regular water in summer, keep dryer in winter, needs good drainage It grows much better outdoors in spring and summer, it is also perfect for the bright windowsill. Grow it in light, fertile, well drained, moderate soils, with a slightly acidic pH (5-6). Avoid any frost.
Maintenance: Removal of old flower stalks; It is a suckering species, and one plant can eventually cover a large area. Divide the crowded clumps periodically. During the winter months, the plants should be grown cool to initiate flower development (about 5-10°C )
Propagation: Suckers, division of older plants.