Because of the mountainous habitat and the thin leaves that are similar to some grasses in the vicinity, Haworthia graminifolia is indeed very difficult to find in the wild. The best time to look for them is when they are either in flower or have set seed.
Haworthia graminifolia is only recorded from a few localities around the Cango Caves south of Oudthoorn in the Little Karoo. Possibly plants are more plentiful but the inaccessibility of their natural habitat should undoubtedly limit new findings.
At this locality the plants are found in two areas well defined by quartz boulders. Only a few plants seem to 'wander' off slightly outside this area.
The relationship to the similar looking Haworthia blackburniae and Haworthia derustensis is clear. The leaves are however notably thinner than those of Haworthia blackburniae, and slightly thinner than those of Haworthia derustensis. Also their habitat is distinct. Haworthia graminifolia grows at a considerably higher altitude amongst fynbos vegetation while the others are a component of Karoo-veld and kloofs. Haworthia graminifolia mostly grows solitary while Haworthia blackburniae can at times form fairly large clumps. |
