This species described by I. Breuer and J.G. Marx is a very interesting find. At first glance the plants seem to be related to Haworthia magnifica (or mirabilis M.B. Bayer). The flowering time also coincided with the latter somewhat. The distribution area is far removed from that of Haworthia magnifica however and it seems obvious that this species is a continuation of Haworthia laeta (bayeri) on a more southerly latitude. The same applies to H indigoa which grows a little more to the east. The plants have a grey-green colour compared to dark green of H indigoa and laeta. Besides the difference in colour, general appearance and flowering time, the plants naturally grow in shale and ferricrete as opposed to the strictly ferricrete adherence of H laeta or H bayeri.
H truteriom grows in an area just a few kilometers north of the Outeniqua Mountains where the rainfall is somewhat higher and conditions slightly cooler than the habitats of H laeta which naturally occur in semi-desert areas. The natural climate in which H truteriorum is found is therefore more comparable to that of H magnifica than that of of H laeta.
As per Mr. Gerhard Marx: Haworthia truteriorum is a rather remarkable component from a well-explored area that had somehow been overlooked until recently. It is closest linked to the Haworthia magnifica and H. mirabilis groups from the south-western parts of the Western Cape. H. truteriorum is currently known from three populations in the southern part of the Little Karoo in the Ezeljagd and Heimersrivier areas. The closest geographic relative to H. truteriorum is H. indigoa which grows 25 km to the east. H. truteriorum flowers in mid-summer and its flowers are typical of the H. magnifica group. Both H. bayeri and H. picta grow within a radius of 15 km to H. truteriorum but they flower both in early spring and also differ in numerous leaf features from H. truteriorum. H. truteriorum is characterized by having dark grey-green leaves, toothed along the margins and with numerous white flecks inside the upper leaf windows. H. truteriorum can be found growing in shale crevices as well as amongst ferricrete and quartzite on low foothills of the Outeniqua mountains.
All the following habitat images were taken by Mr Gerhard Marx. |
