Astridia speciosa

Publication: J. S. African Bot. 27: 111 1961

Description

Astridia speciosa is a small succulent shrub with visible intenodes up to 3o cm tall. It has exceptionally pretty red flowers, the largest flowers in the genus, but several other species are very close to it. The fruit has conspicuous distinctive raised rims.

Leaves: Semi-lunate, 3-angled, long persistent, shortly fused at base, 35-50 mm long, 10-16 mm broad, 18-20 mm thick, epidermal papillae long.

Flowers: Daisy-like, 35-55 mm across, petals red to purple, their bases white, filamentous staminodes broad, yet surrounding the central column of stamens, white or yellow, their tips often red, overtopping the stamens.

Fruits (capsules): 6-locular and of the Ruschia type, ca. 20 mm long, with no valve wings, with well developed covering membranes and closing bodies, rims 3-4 mm hight.

Seeds: The distant papillae higher than broad, elongating gradually towards the micropyle, ca. 1.5 mm long,1 mm broad

Similar species: Because of similarities in the flower, this name has often been used for plants of Astridia longifolia, from which Astridia speciosa differs mainly by the semi-lunate leaves. This leaf shape, however, Astridia speciosa shares with Astridia vanheerdei.

Origin and Habitat

South-West namibia and Northern Namaqualand, Norther Cape, South Africa (Extent of occourance less than 500 km²).

Altitude range: 300-1000 metres above sea level.

Habitat and ecology: Astridia speciosa is a range-restricted species, known from only three subpopulations in central Richtersveld mountain shrubland. It grows in gravelly soil near rocks together with a high number of endemic taxa such as: Adenoglossa decurrens, Aloe pearsonii, Cephalophyllum goodie, Cheiridopsis pilosula, Crotalaria pearsonii, Galenia dregeana, Othonna herrei, Othonna opima, Pelargonium desertorum, Trachyandra aridimontana and Tylecodon kritzingeri. It is threatened by habitat degradation, mining and collection.

Cultivation and Propagation

The Astridia speciosa is a “winter” grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy, but in favourable growing conditions it keeps going over the summer too and doesn’t need particular care.

Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.

Fertilization: It thrives in poor soils and seems sensitive to an excess of potassium.

Watering: Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars).

Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer.

Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and will take a light frost (Hardy to -5°C) if it is in dry soil. USDA zones 9A – 11.

Uses: Container, rock garden.

Propagation: Seed in spring or cuttings. It is easily propagated by seed.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/Jun/2000
Ed Storms “Growing the Mesembs” Tarrant Printing, 1976
Victor, J.E. 2005. Astridia speciosa L.Bolus. National Assessment: “Red List of South African Plants” version 2014.1. Accessed on 2014/07/12
James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
Gideon Smith “Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group” Briza Publications, 1998
Hugh Francis Glen “Numerical taxonomic studies in the subtribe Ruschiinae (Mesembryanthemaceae) - Astridia, Acrodon and Ebracteola” In: Bothalia. 16: 203–226 1986

From llifle page Astridia swartpoortensis

Description

Astridia swartpoortensis is a local or morphological form of Astridia speciosa from Swartpoort (hence the name), and the two plants are not readily distinguishable, if not for the geographical provenance. It is a small succulent shrub up to 3o cm tall with long curved pink velvety leaves. It has exceptionally pretty red flowers, the largest flowers in the genus, but several other species are very close to it. The fruit has conspicuous distinctive raised rims.

Stem: Erect with visible intenodes.

Leaves: Semi-lunate, 3-angled, long persistent, shortly fused at base, 35-50 mm long, 10-16 mm broad, 18-20 mm thick, epidermal papillae long.

Fruits (capsules): 6-locular and of the Ruschia type, ca. 20 mm long, with no valve wings, with well developed covering membranes and closing bodies, rims 3-4 mm hight.

Seeds: The distant papillae higher than broad, elongating gradually towards the micropyle, ca. 1.5 mm long,1 mm broad

Similar species: Because of similarities in the flower, this name has often been used for plants of Astridia longifolia, from which A. swartpoortensis differs mainly by the semi-lunate pink tomentose leaves. This leaf shape, however, A. swartpoortensis shares with Astridia vanheerdei.

Origin and Habitat

Swartpoort , Richtersveld, Namaqualand. South Africa

Habitat and ecology: Astridia swartpoortensis is a range-restricted species that grows in gravelly soil near rocks. It is threatened by habitat degradation, mining and collection.