Accepted Scientific Name: Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata (Haw.) M.B.Bayer
Haworthia Revisited 34 1999.
Haworthia arachnoidea subs. setata (Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata) Photo by: K.k. Agrawal
Origin and Habitat: Western Cape, Little Karoo (from Cogmanskloof in the West up to De Rust in the East), South Africa.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Haworthia arachnoidea
Common Names include:
AFRIKAANS (Afrikaans): klein spinnekopbolletjie, Papierrosie
Description: Haworthia arachnoideaSN|17026]]SN|17026]] var. setata, formerly known as Haworthia setataSN|17045]]SN|17045]], is one of the forms of Haworthia arachnoideaSN|17026]]SN|17026]] which is a widespread and morphologically variable taxon. It has rosettes variable in shape and dimension distinguished from the type species for its longish leaves ending in a sharp tip, with denser, softer, white transparent bristles at the margins and keels. Leaves are much softer than var. scabrispina. From var. aranea it differs, that leaves and spines do not blacken on dying, also var. aranea is more softer on touch. It resembles a small ball of fur, especially in the dry state. M.B. Bayer (1976) considers it a synonym for H. arachnoidea.
Leafy stem: Short.
Rosette: Variable, (3-)5-7,5 cm in diameter (in var. gigas V. Poelnn. up to 12 cm), usually solitary, eventually offsetting to form clumps. The rosettes are completely closed in dry weather but open with high humidity.
Leaves: 30–40 per rosette, dense, multifarious, all ascending, oblong-lanceolate, 2,5-3 cm long, 12-15 mm broad, and 4-5 mm thick at the middle, pale glaucous green, turgid on the face, not pellucid at the apex, rounded on the back and tipped with a long pellucid awn, margin ciliated with spreading lanceolate-cuspidate, soft, hair-like teeth about 2 mm long.
Inflorescence: Peduncle simple, 15 cm long. Raceme lax, simple, 15 cm long. Pedicels very short. Bracts small, deltoid.
Flowers. Perianth 12-15 mm long; limb half as long as the tube.
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Haworthia arachnoidea group
Notes: Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata is quite variable and is connected to Haworthia mucronataSN|16887]]SN|16887]] in some places - for example at Montagu and Tradouw Pass (Haworthia tradouwensis). At Montagu intermediate forms with mucronata were described as 'laxa'. Around Ladismith is growing a very attractive form, which is very white and roundish.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) J. G. Baker, "Flora Capensis", 1897
2) Urs Eggli "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons" Springer, 2001
3) D.O. Wijnands, "The Botany of the Commelins", CRC Press, 01 June 1983
4) SANBI. 2017. Haworthia arachnoidea (L.) Duval var. setata (Haw.) M.B.Bayer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2017/11/30
5) Doreen Court "Succulent Flora of Southern Africa" CRC Press, 01/Jun/2000
6) Stuart Max Walters, "European Garden Flora: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass", Cambridge University Press, 1984
7) Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith, "Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity", Tafelberg, 2000
8) Werner Rauh, "The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti", Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
9) Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata in: Jakub Jilemicky, http://haworthia-gasteria.blogspot.it/2013/05/h.html, Awesome Inc. theme.
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Haworthia arachnoidea subs. setata (Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata) Photo by: K.k. Agrawal
Haworthia arachnoidea subs. setata (Haworthia arachnoidea var. setata) Photo by: K.k. Agrawal
