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Origin and Habitat: Haworthia emelyaeSN|13363]]SN|13363]] is a South African endemic (Western Cape, Little Karoo, Avontuur to Springfontein).
Habitat: It grows scattered from 9 to 15 locations on mountain tops from a variety of geological formations, mainly amongst quartz stones. The total number of mature individuals is estimated to be fewer than 10 000, with no subpopulation having more than 1000 plants. This taxon has lost habitat to agriculture and the number of mature individuals continues to decline as a result of collecting for the specialist succulent horticultural trade as well as degradation of its habitat due to livestock grazing and trampling.
Synonyms:
- Haworthia emelyae Poelln.
- Haworthia retusa subs. emelyae (Poelln.) Halda
- Haworthia retusa var. emelyae (Poelln.) Halda
Haworthia emelyae Poelln.
Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 42: 271. 1937
Synonymy: 9
- Haworthia emelyae Poelln.
- Haworthia retusa subs. emelyae (Poelln.) Halda
- Haworthia retusa var. emelyae (Poelln.) Halda
- Haworthia blackburniae Poelln. non W.F.Barker
- Haworthia correcta Poelln.
- Haworthia correcta var. lucida M.Hayashi
- Haworthia picta Poelln.
- Haworthia picta var. janvlokii Breuer
- Haworthia picta var. tricolor Breuer
Haworthia emelyae var. comptoniana (G.G.Sm.) J.D.Venter & S.A.Hammer
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 69(2): 77. 1997
Synonymy: 4
- Haworthia emelyae var. comptoniana (G.G.Sm.) J.D.Venter & S.A.Hammer
- Haworthia comptoniana G.G.Sm.
- Haworthia retusa var. comptoniana (G.G.Sm.) Halda
- Haworthia comptoniana f. major Pilbeam
Haworthia emelyae var. major (G.G.Sm.) M.B.Bayer
Aloe 34(1–2): 6 (1997)
Synonymy: 5
- Haworthia emelyae var. major (G.G.Sm.) M.B.Bayer
- Haworthia magnifica var. major (G.G.Sm.) M.B.Bayer
- Haworthia maraisii var. major (G.G.Sm.) M.B.Bayer
- Haworthia schuldtiana var. major G.G.Sm.
- Haworthia wimii M.Hayashi
Haworthia emelyae var. multifolia M.B.Bayer
Natl. Cact. Succ. J. (U. K.) 34(2): 31 (1979)
Synonymy: 2
- Haworthia emelyae var. multifolia M.B.Bayer
- Haworthia multifolia (M.B.Bayer) M.Hayashi
Description: Haworthia emelyaeSN|13363]]SN|13363]] is lovely species sought after by collectors, but extremely variable and slow-growing. The several varieties and forms enumerated are differing chiefly in the form, colour and textute of their foliage.
Habit: It is a perennial, evergreen, stemless leaf-succulent species, solitary to slowly proliferous.
Rosette: About 4-10 cm in diameter, seldom proliferous.
Leaves: 15-20, 3-4(-5) cm long, triangular, more or less, recurved, convex, end-areas distinctly retused, barely translucent, usually marked with elongate small flecks, with obscure raised tubercles, lined, reddish-brown hued, taking a brown, lilac or pink colour in full sun. Margin and keel with tiny sparse teeth.
Inflorescences: Produces a slender lax raceme up to 30(-40) cm tall unbranched, erect and wiry. Only few flowers open together at the same time.
Flowers: 15-20, whitish. The flower's Structure, colour and fruits are typical of the genus.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Haworthia emeliae group
- Haworthia emelyae Poelln.: has triangular tuberculateleaves usually marked with brown, lilac or pink in full sun, but extremely variable and slow-growing. Western Cape, Little Karoo, Avontuur to Springfontein.
Haworthia emelyae var. comptoniana (G.G.Sm.) J.D.Venter & S.A.Hammer: Generally solitary, its growth is almost entirely subterranean. Leaves are broad triangular, reticulate with pale white-flecked "veins" running into lines that converge at the apex.
Haworthia emelyae var. major (G.G.Sm.) M.B.Bayer: Leaves acuminate with an apical spine.
Haworthia emelyae var. multifolia M.B.Bayer: Rosettes with 20-30 erected leaves.
Haworthia picta Poelln.: is one of the most attractive species with leaf tips nicely spotted and turn a tan colour in strong light. Distribution: between Rooiberg and Oudtshoorn at farm Keurkloof and as well South of Vanwykskraal
- Haworthia picta var. janvlokii Breuer: is a largest form and is may be a kind of connection to H. comptoniana. Distribution: Kammanassie Dam area.
Haworthia picta var. tricolor Breuer: has a scabrid leave surface, but intergrading with typical H. picta. Distribution: Rooiberg area and also between of Rooiberg and Oudtshoorn at farm Keurkloof and as well South of Vanwykskraal.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons” Springer, 01/gen/2001
2) M. B. Bayer “The new Haworthia handbook” National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, 1982
3) John Pilbeam “Haworthia and Astroloba: A Collector's Guide” 1983
4) Stuart Max Walters, James Cullen “The European Garden Flora: Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae, Angiospermae” Cambridge University Press, 1986
5) John Robert Brown "Unusual Plants:110 Spectacular Photographs of Succulents" Abbey Garden Press, 1954
6) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” Struik Nature, 2010
7) Bayer, MB “Haworthia Revisited: A revision of the genus” Umdaus Press, Hatfield. 1999
8) Hilton-Taylor, C.. “Red data list of southern African plants.” Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. 1996
Cultivation and Propagation: Haworthia are of relatively easy cultivation and low maintenance and can grow on window sills, verandas and in miniature succulent gardens where they are happy to share their habitat with other smaller succulent plants.
Growth rate: Haworthia emelyaeSN|13363]]SN|13363]] is a slow-growing species that usually do not offset.
Soil: They are tolerant of a wide range of soils and habitats, but prefer a very porous potting mix to increase drainage. A non-acid soil is ideal. You can grow a plant in a small pot for years and have perfectly happy plants. For best results, use a shallow pot.
Exposition: The plant needs light shade to shade, but will take full sun part of the day. (with some sun exposure the leaf develops a nice reddish tint and remains compact)
Watering: During the hot summer months, the soil should be kept moist but not overly wet. During the winter months, water only when the soil becomes completely dry. Wet soil quickly causes root and stem rot, especially during chilly winter months. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Low ambient humidity is always needed.
Fertilization: The plants are fertilized only once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength.
Hardiness: Although the plant will survive mild frost if kept dry (hardy as low as -5° C) it should be protected from severe cold and prolonged frost conditions.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Haworthia if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. Care must be given in watering, keeping them warm and wet while growing, and cooler and dry when dormant.
Remarks: Haworthias are best planted in a shaded and airy part of the greenhouse, and not too close to the glass roof or sides of the house as the plants can overheat during hot spells.
Propagation: It remains usually solitary, so propagation should be done by seeds or 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.
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