Gasteria carinata - Keeled Ox Tongue
Family
Aloaceae
Origin
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Description
Gasteria Armstrongii is one of the slow growing and rarer Gasterias with dark green leaves. It contains some of the most handsome individual clones of any species. Small rosettes, of two to four thick-skinned fat leaves, eventually to 4 . Old specimens cluster naturally with new plants around the original. It is very slow growing.
Leaves are dark green to nearly black that can take maroon-red colouring in full sun, very strong, compact and thick that lie flat to the ground and have a rough, bumpy, tongue-like appearance, leaves in nature rarely more than 60 mm in overall length. Sometimes with prominent paler tubercles or warts that may develop with age. Often the leave has a deep V-shaped proximal depression
The inflorescences are smaller up to 50 cm tall and unbranched but bear 20 mm long flowers. Flowers 20-25 mm long, pinkish-red, stomach-shaped for about half of the perianth length.
Environment
Gasterias are popular undemanding indoor succulent plants, tolerating a little shade and infrequent watering. However, some sun ensures a compact growth habit, attractive leaf coloration in some species and abundant flowers
These decorative little plants can be grown in interesting containers such as tea cups and even miniature baby shoes. Make sure the container had adequate drainage. If it doesn t, it might be a good idea to pop the plant out of its container and add a layer of gravel to the bottom to reduce the wicking action of the soil above.
Propogation
Gasteria is easily propagated by the removal of offshoots or by leaf cuttings in spring or summer. To propagate by leaf cuttings, remove a leaf and let it lie for about one month, giving the wound time to heal. Then lay the leaf on its side with the basal part buried in the soil. This leaf should root within a month or two, and small plants will form at the leaf base. They can also grown from seed.
Landscape Use
Suitable for Container, Rock Garden & Xeriscaping
