haworthia-rooibergensis

Haworthia rooibergensis was earlier looked upon as as a bristled form of Haworthia sakai (Haworthia mucronata relative) and the confusion may be somewhat waranted as Haworthia sakai and the very similar Haworthia mucronata occur around Oudtshoorn and Ladismith respectively with related plants in between that have bristles at times.

Haworthia rooibergensis and the closely related Haworthia crystallina have a definite more southerly distribution with apparently no linking populations in between. While Haworthia sakai and mucronata are associated with a Karoo semi-desert landscape, Haworthia rooibergensis (and crystallina) grow in transitory areas between succulent and semi-fynbos vegetation with slightly higher rainfall and a cooler climate.

A few known localities exist for Haworthia rooibergensis east and near Van Wyksdorp stretching over a distance of roughly 15 km. Haworthia crystallina occurs further east in the Oudtshoorn district but in somewhat similar environment.

As it happens in Haworthia, evolution and hybridization can create similar looking plants from a different lineage. Haworthia calitzensis may appear rather similar to Haworthia rooibergensis but grows some 40 km to the north with more H. mucronata-like plants in between. Haworthia calitzensis is likely influenced by Haworthia decipiens affiliates, while Haworthia rooibergensis is probably not. At this stage it seems Haworthia rooibergensis belongs to the same aggregate as Haworthia mucronata. There does not seem to be any other species that it may link into further south, west or east.

The flowering time is quite early around September likely excluding an influence of plants from the Haworthia arachnoidea aggregata that flower in summer.


Haworthia rooibergensis in habitat a few km east of Vanwyksdorp.	Few km east of Vanwyksdorp.	Few km east of Vanwyksdorp.	Few km east of Vanwyksdorp.


Some 15 km ? east of Vanwyksdorp (old Mavica pic)	Some 15 km ? east of Vanwyksdorp (old Mavica pic)