Whereas in v. lineata the leaves are bluish-green, in this variety they have a striking yellow-green colour.
The first two pictures were taken in arid fynbos on the Rooiberg plateau near Calitzdorp (24 August 2007).
The next ones were taken in an old pine plantation near Herold (6 and 17 Nov. 2009).
This beautiful species occurs from near Willowmore to just west of Oudtshoorn.
Unfortunately, the place near De Rust where these pictures were taken is now almost completely stripped of this and other interesting succulents. A result of plain unadulterated greed!
The first four pictures were taken between 18 and 28 Sept., the other two 20 Nov.
Whereas most Gasterias are found on dry rocky slopes -usually hiding under taller plants- this species is typical for sand dunes on the South African south coast, from Knysna eastwards to Port Alfred. Its large rosettes may become up to 75 cm tall and almost as much in diameter.
Quiver tree or kokerboom is the local name for Aloe dichotoma.
This plant is only known from 3 localities north-east of Calitzdorp. Photographed 28 June 2008.
This rare and impressive plant is one of the icons of South Africa’s wealth of succulents. Pictures taken on 8 Sept. 2010 at Cornellskop. Notice the misty weather, which plays such an important role for the vegetation here.
The two pictures at the end show young plants, with their leaves still upright rather than spreading.
This species, described in 1999, is only known from the Oudtshoorn area, where it occurs on rocky north facing slopes. The rosettes are 4-6 cm in diameter and grow into dense clumps.
The pictures were taken in late November near Herold (between Oudtshoorn and George)
in a plantation of exotic pines.
Although the species name suggests a wide distribution, A. africana occurs only in a rather limited area in the Eastern Cape. The gracefully upcurved flowers set it apart from similar species.
Today’s post is the first in what is intended to become a daily posting of one or more interesting and beautiful pictures (mainly) of succulent plants. The text will be kept to a minimum, so as not to distract from the images. These post will be an addition to, not a replacement for, the usual ones.
You may also notice that I have added a photo gallery to the blog. Enjoy!
We kick off with two pictures that are identical, except for the fact that one was taken with a diffusor. That one seemingly little difference produces quite a different result. One can not really say that one picture is better than the other, but they give different information and also evoke a different feeling. When the light is harsh like in this case, it is worth taking a couple of pictures with and without a diffusor or reflector.
