Hello!
I am the Gasteria species. I am a genus of succulent plants.
There are hundreds of different varieties of me that have been grown. Sometimes I have aloe aspects.
Common names for me include cow tongue, ox’s tongue, lawyer’s tongue, etc.
(due to the thick, tongue shaped leaves)
Where I Grow/Where I am From
I am native to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. I grow in warmer temperatures as I am cold-sensitive but I do not like humid environments. I also grow in dry conditions as I only need minimal water. I like well-drained substrates because my fleshy roots can rot if drainage is insufficient. Coarse sand or gravel works great for me to grow in. Lightly shaded areas are my favorite.
What My Flowers Look Like
The sac-like shape of my flowers hang off a stem individually with a large swelling near the flowers base. They have an arching curve near the tip where the reproductive parts are located.
How I Reproduce
I am pollinated by sunbirds through the nectar in my flowers. Sunbirds rarely hover over flowers while feeding; they usually sit on my flowering stem while they get their nectar. These sunbirds have long beaks that get into my long tubular flower. I also reproduce asexually by sending off plantlets! I usually do this if I’m used as an indoor houseplant. I produce “pups” that are little succulents that sprout up around my base. This happens when my roots bearing lead clusters shoot out and develop into new succulents.
reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2803647/
Cool Things About Me
Some of the versions of myself bloom in the winter
I am commonly used as an indoor houseplant for humans
My leaves feel like tongues and are fun for humans to touch
My leaves can also grow from 1 inch to 3 feet in length depending on my version
My Interesting Adaptations
During warmer weather, my leaves might turn lighter and brighter in color or I might flower with small, colorful sac-shaped flowers.
I also have a natural defense mechanism against fungal infections causing me to attack fungal infections by invading and sealing off the wounded spot which produces black spots on my leaves.
When I am watered too much, I might get root rot. The G. polita version of myself is resistant to this fungus thanks to my adaptation to the moist forest habitat and fog from low clouds and I will tolerate over-watering as long as my pots are well drained.
Written by: Kate Nielsen
UST Greenhouse project 