Haworthiopsis coarctata


Haworthiopsis coarctata, formerly Haworthia coarctata, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and naturalized in Mexico. It is one of the species of Haworthiopsis that is commonly cultivated as an ornamental.

Description

H. coarctata grows in large clumps in its natural habitat, with long stems packed with robust succulent leaves. It is normally dark green but sometimes acquires a rich purple-red when in full sunlight.
It is frequently confused with Haworthiopsis reinwardtii, which occurs just to the east of its natural range. However H. coarctata has smaller, smoother and rounder tubercles on its leaves. H. coarctata also usually has much wider, fatter leaves.

Forms and varieties

This is a variable species, and several forms and varieties are recognised. Several are listed below: H. coarctata var. adelaidensis M.B.Bayer; longer narrower leaves than typeH. coarctata var. coarctata; the type varietyH. coarctata f. chalwinii Haw.; leaves abnormally wideH. coarctata f. greenii M.B.Bayer; smooth leaves with tubercles mostly absentH. coarctata f. tenuis M.B.Bayer; narrow stems and thinner leaves

Cultivation

Haworthia coarctata has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.