Astroloba smutsiana

Astroloba smutsiana is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba, restricted to an area of the western section of the Little Karoo, South Africa.[1][2]

Astroloba smutsiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Astroloba
Species:
A. smutsiana
Binomial name
Astroloba smutsiana

Description
Astroloba smutsiana in habitat

In appearance it is superficially very similar to Astroloba spiralis, with its sharp, spirally-arranged leaves. However the perianth of spiralis is both inflated and strongly transversely rugose. A. smutsiana is also a smaller plant and has leaves that are sometimes striped with longitudinal streaks near the tips.

It can be distinguished from its northern relative, Astroloba hallii, by its sharply pointed leaves, with properly marginate apices and absence of tubercles or striation.

The leaves get a reddish-brown colour in the sun. The flowers appear from January to April, at the end of the dry summer.

Distribution

It occurs in rocky ridges of shale in the Little Karoo - between Montagu in the west, Barrydale, and Ladismith in the east (where it gradually becomes Astroloba spiralis), and just south of Laingsburg in the north (where it grades into Astroloba hallii).

Further reading
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References
  1. http://soilandroots.com/desert-plants/Astroloba/smutsiana/astroloba-smutsiana.html
  2. Pandora Roberts Reinecke: Genus Astroloba Uitewaal (Liliaceae). UCT Department of Biological Sciences. 1965.
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