Caxton magazines staffSome haworthia species are so small that spotting them is almost impossible. Luckily, rangers and researchers are constantly on the look-out and haworthia mutica has recently been added to the already impressive Bontenbok National Park haworthia list
There are six species of Haworthia found in the park and the latest one to be discovered, haworthia mutica, is closely related to another also found in the park.
“This set of populations shows a most remarkable genetic interaction between different species,” says Bruce Bayer, researcher at the Department of Agriculture and publisher of Haworthiaupdates.org.
Six species of Haworthia in the park:
Haworthia venosa is mostly found along the lower course of the Breede River but is also upwards towards the north-western corner of the park.
Haworthia retusa (turgida) grows in the east of Bontebok and flowers in spring. It is abundant and widespread, preferring the riverine cliff habitats along the river at the north-western park boundary. The latest find, mutica, is very closely related to this species.
Haworthia mirabilis is also common and diverse and flowers in the summer months. Flowers resemble the Haworthia floribunda closely.
Haworthia floribunda interacts with mirabilis and retusa, causing hybridisation. It also flowers in summer and is found all the way to Swellendam.
Haworthia minima’s colours range from blue to green. The tubercles (the small raised area on a plant surface) are smooth with white and green flowers.
Haworthia marginata interacts with minima. The species in this subgenus flower in mid-summer, however, the ones found in the park and neighbouring properties flower in spring.
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