Astroloba smutsiana

Astroloba smutsiana in habitat

In appearance it is superficially very similar to Astroloba spiralis, with its sharp, spirally-arranged leaves. However the perianth of spiralis is both inflated and strongly transversely rugose. A. smutsiana is also a smaller plant and has leaves that are sometimes striped with longitudinal streaks near the tips.

It can be distinguished from its northern relative, Astroloba hallii, by its sharply pointed leaves, with properly marginate apices and absence of tubercles or striation.

The leaves get a reddish-brown colour in the sun. The flowers appear from January to April, at the end of the dry summer.

It occurs in rocky ridges of shale in the Little Karoo - between Montagu in the west, Barrydale, and Ladismith in the east (where it gradually becomes Astroloba spiralis), and just south of Laingsburg in the north (where it grades into Astroloba hallii).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Astroloba smutsiana.

• Astroloba smutsiana - Introduction and images