Family: Liliaceae

The name of this genus from South Africa derives from the Greek aster, a 'belly' or 'paunch', referring to the swollen, lower part of the flower. Comprising mostly stemless succu­lents which range in size from the tiny G. bicolor var. liliputana, with leaves only 2-3 cm (about 1 in) long, up to the large G. aci­nacifolia whose leaf spread reaches to 70 cm (28 in) in diameter, they are found growing under the shelter of shrubs which protect them from the hot sun. Some stemless species form a spiral rosette, but mostly the thick, rough, leathery leaves are distichous, that is they grow in layered ranks. All species readily form offsets which quickly make clumps. The leaves are mostly tongue-shaped and deep green in colour, with a tubercled surface like sandpaper; some of the larger species have keeled leaves; most have white spots or splotches; and all end in a sharp, hard point. Loose, pendulous sprays of tubular flowers, with swollen bases, are borne on tall stems. They are pink to red, their petals edged in pale green.

Species

G. acinacifolia, the largest species, forms a spiralled rosette of thick, shiny, keeled leaves with lighter green blotches. The inflores­cences are branched and very tall, two or three stems appearing at the same time.

G. bicolor, a more upright plant, has keeled, splotched leaves which spiral upwards. It does not make offsets readily, but occasionally produces small plantlets on the flower stems.

G. bicolor var. liliputana, with tiny, white-spotted leaves, forms clumps of tiny offsets very readily. This species has orange-green flowers in spring and summer.

G. carinata var. verrucosa, a distic­hous plant, has long, tapering leaves which are covered with large, white tubercles.

Cultivation

In cold and cool climates, grow in an airy, intermediate greenhouse or conserva­tory, in maximum light, but shade from direct sun. Grow in pots of cactus compost, available from good garden centers. The plants should be kept dry when they are dormant in winter, and watered moderately at other times. Propagate from offsets or from leaf cuttings taken when the plants are in growth.

Climate

Zone 10.