haworthia-picta

Haworthia picta - Von Poellnitz 1938,

Three names have been in use for this species namely, Haworthia picta, Haworthia emelyae and Haworthia correcta. (The latter was also used for Haworthia bayeri). The name Haworthia correcta has become mostly obsolete in literature but is still used in collections, while the other two are both in use by different authors referring to approximately the same species. The original photograph of Haworthia correcta is not very clear but likely refers to the plants from Rooiberg (now Haworthia tricolor). It was used for Haworthia bayeri in error before the latter was clearly identified as a seperate species. The data surrounding Haworthia emelyae is dubious with no clear herbarium specimen on record. The photograph does not seem to be that of the same plant as what some present literature refers to. It is better to discard it.

This website shall therefore uphold the clearly illustrated Haworthia picta as the valid name with the type specimen from Moerasrivier some 30 km south of Oudtshoorn en route Mossel Bay.

The known distribution of the species is from about 30 km south of Oudtshoorn en route George Bay to several kilometers east of Moerasrivier. A related population to the east near Kamannasie Dam is significantly different and is known as Haworthia janvlokii. Another population to the west at Rooiberg is related but also unique and shall be referred to as Haworthia tricolor. Further to the west as the plants grade somewhat into Haworthia breueri some more unique populations exist. As mentioned elsewhere in this website, I shall uphold different species names for related plants as I see this as the only workable solution to the genus. If this approach is not followed, species like Haworthia picta will eventually be swallowed up as forms of Haworthia retusa. Varietal status in some cases may work while in others it will be a non-starter.

The plants seem to prefer the areas that are a few km south of the Outeniqua Mountain range grading into related species that are found in similar habitat south of the Langeberg Range. (The latter being the same mountain range as the Outeniqua as it extents towards the west).

I shall place images of plants from various localities with appropriate discussions where needed.

Moerasrivier:

A fairly large population. Some of the plants have very attractive white markings. These plants are often used to make white cultivars and hybrids.

Die Meule: South of Oudtshoorn,

I small population growing amongst succulent shrub that harbour some of the most attractive examples of the species. Special cultivars with brown markings often originate from this population.

Die Fontein: south west of Oudtshoorn en route Paardebont.

This population has not been seen by many people. The plants grow mostly in open patches or under shrub amongst many brown stones mixed with quartz and other pebbles. In general the area does not appear to be a typical habitat of Haworthia picta. Mostly the plants are not well marked, lacking the white speckles of the plants from Moerasrivier. Seed from habitat in 2012 has produced very slow growing seedlings and now cultivated adult plants have been produced yet. More unique characteristics may reveal as the young seedlings mature.

Grootdoornrivier:

A number of populations exist that are going to be dealt with seperately. It is often customary not to reveal exact locations. I shall make an exception in this case as it will make the discussion easier and I am hopeful that a number of interesting sites are still to be found on this property. It is indeed rather early days for explorations here.

Site 1: Seedlings from this population have been marketed as "Doornrivier" in the past. I shall now refer to it as Grootdoornrivier west (The map reads in error - should be Grootdoornrivier west instead of east) is. It is quite an extensive population with some plants obtaining a reddish colour, even in cultivation.

Site 2: Dragon Hill lower jaw. Hill beacon 91 as on map. I am giving the hill the name Dragon Hill because the topographical map of the hill resembles to some degree the head of a comic strip dragon. The plants are rather sparsely distributed on the hill. Many plants are notably green. Slightly higher concentrations are found towards the west.

More populations and other images to follow later.

Aasvoelvallei 'Lagrise',

A population west of the Gouritz River between the population(s) of Haworthia tricolor and Haworthia breueri. The plants here are mostly a grey dull color and show affinity towards both Haworthia tricolor and Haworthia breueri. The plants grow on a quartzitic hill with a slight inclination towards the west. There are only a few habitat images available kindly provided by Gerhard Marx.


Cultivated seedling from Moerasrivier.	Cultivated seedling from Moerasrivier.	Haworthia picta in habitat near Die Meule.A plant with attractive brown markings.	Die Meule. Deeply shaded under a bush.


Map of Grootdoornrivier.	Haworthia picta Grootdoornrivier (west).	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.


Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.


Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.


Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier west.	Grootdoornrivier Dragon Hill lower jaw habitat.	Dragon Hill lower jaw.


Haworthia picta in habitat at type locality Moerasrivier.	Moerasrivier.	Moerasrivier.	Moerasrivier.


Dragon Hill lower jaw with Conophytum truncatum.	Dragon Hill lower jaw.	Die Fontein habitat.	Die Fontein habitat.


Die Fontein.	A seed grown plant from Aasvoelvallei.	Haworthia picta 'Lagrise' in habitat at Aasvoelvallei.	Aasvoelvallei.