Haworthiopsis pungens, formerly Haworthia pungens, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
| Haworthiopsis pungens | |
|---|---|
| |
| Small specimen in cultivation | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Tribe: | Aloeae |
| Genus: | Haworthiopsis |
| Species: | H. pungens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Haworthiopsis pungens | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
editA proliferous, caulescent succulent, with sharp smooth dark green leaves, that grow in five (and occasionally three) rows. It forms spreading clumps. In its appearance it most resembles Astroloba rubriflora or Haworthiopsis viscosa (although the leaves of H. pungens are smooth and the plants are less upright in form).
The species name "pungens" means "sharp-pointed", and refers to the leaf-shape.
Taxonomy
editThe species was formerly placed in Haworthia subgenus Hexangulares. Phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that subgenus Hexangulares is actually relatively unrelated to other haworthias (being more closely related to Gasteria). The species was therefore moved to Haworthiopsis.[2][3]
Distribution
editThis vulnerable species occurs in two localities within a small area in Langkloof, near Joubertina, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Here it grows on rocky conglomerate west-facing slopes in fynbos vegetation.[4][5]
References
edit
- ^ a b "Haworthiopsis pungens", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2017-10-17
- ^ Manning, John; Boatwright, James S.; Daru, Barnabas H.; Maurin, Olivier; van der Bank, Michelle. A Molecular Phylogeny and Generic Classification of Asphodelaceae subfamily Alooideae: A Final Resolution of the Prickly Issue of Polyphyly in the Alooids? Systematic Botany, Volume 39, Number 1, March 2014, pp. 55-74
- ^ "All about Haworthia".
- ^ "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants".
- ^ "Haworthia Revisited - 52. Haworthia pungens - Haworthia Updates".