Astroloba corrugata


Astroloba corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm

Astroloba corrugata N.L.Mey. & Gideon F.Sm.
by J. Jilemicky and S. Molteno

corrugata: for its rough “corrugated” leaf surface

Astroloba corrugata is widespread and well-defined species, it is immediately recognisable by its stout (often recurved) leaves which are covered in tiny, fine, asperous tubercles. Like all Astrolobas, its stems branch & offset from the base, forming columns that are densely covered in sharp, succulent leaves.It is known occasionally to hybridise naturally with Astroloba spirella, but is otherwise both distinct and well-defined as a species. It grows very often with Haworthia arachnoidea var. nigricans and Gasteria brachyphylla.

Astroloba corrugata, Tafelkop

Flower stem of A. corrugata, Wagensdrift

Its small white flowers appear in summer (mainly from November to January) and are insect pollinated. 

Astroloba corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm

This species occurs in the far western end of the Little Karoo. Its range is bounded by the Langeberg Mountains to the South and West, and by the Witteberge Mountains to the North. There are occasional glabrous forms in Ouberg Pass, where also natural hybrid with T. pumila is found. Other interesting tiny and petite forms can be seen around Montagu to Barrydale. 

To the East of its range, it occasionally hybridises with Astroloba spirella. Where its natural range overlaps with that of Tulista maxima, natural inter-generic hybrids often occur. These are variously given the names “bicarinata” or “skinneri”. Further variety then occurs when these (fertile) hybrids continue to mix with the surrounding Astroloba corrugata population, getting progressively diluted by back-crossing. Near to Barrydale were reported hybrids with H. viscosa and T. opalina.

Distribution map

An easy species to cultivate. It requires very well-drained soil, a winter rainfall regime, and grows best when provided with some shelter from full sun. It can be propagated by seed or cuttings/offsets.

Astroloba corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass

Astrolista bicarinata (A. corrugata x T. pumila), NE of Ouberg Pass

Synonyms:
A. rugosa, A. aspera, A. muricata

Known localities:
  • Arrievlakte, S of Vanwyksdorp (3321CD)
  • Brandrivier (3321CC)
  • Doornriviervlei farm (3320DD) 
  • Dröekloof (3320AD)
  • foot of Ouberg Pass (3320CB)
  • Muiskraal (3321CD)
  • Poortfontein (3320DB)
  • Spitskop, W of Anysberg (3320CB)
  • Suurkloof (3320BD)
  • Wagensdrift (3320BD) 
  • Wittepoort, near Joubertskop (3320BD)
  • Zandkraal (3321CD)
  • W of Gouritz River bridge (3321DC)
  • NW of Barrydale 
  • SE of Tafelkop (3320CA) 
  • Middelvoetpad (3320DA)
  • near Touwsfontein (3320BC)
  • Rooiberg (3321CB)
  • Springfontein (3321CC)
  • Buffelspoort, Die Poort (3320BD)
  • E. Driefontein (3320AD)
  • Keurfontein (3320BD)
  • Klein Doornirivier (3320DD)
  • Langrant (3320CC)
  • Lemoenshoek (3320DD)
  • Miertjieskraal (3321CC)
  • N. Bon Accord (3320CA)
  • N. Buffelspoort (3320BD)
  • S. Platsekboomkop (3321DA)
  • Springfontein (3321CC)
  • W. Gouritz River bridge (3321DC)
Astroloba corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm
Astroloba corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm
Astroloba corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm
Locality of A. corrugata, Doornriviervlei farm
Astroloba corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass
Astroloba corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass
Astroloba corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass
Astroloba corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass
Locality of A. corrugata, foot of Ouberg Pass
Astroloba corrugata, Droekloof
Astroloba corrugata, Droekloof
Astroloba corrugata, Droekloof
Astroloba corrugata, Zandkraal
Astroloba corrugata, Zandkraal
Locality of A. corrugata, Zandkraal
Astroloba corrugata, Brandrivier
As. corrugata x T. opalina, Brandrivier, foto G. Marx
As. corrugata X T. opalina, Brandrivier, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Poortfontein
Astroloba corrugata, Poortfontein
Astroloba corrugata, Poortfontein
A. corrugata x H. viscosa, Poortfontein
Locality of A. corrugata, Poortfontein
Astroloba corrugata, W of Anysberg
Astroloba corrugata, Muiskraal
Astroloba corrugata, Suurkloof
Astroloba corrugata, Suurkloof
Astroloba corrugata, Suurkloof
Locality of A. corrugata, Suurkloof
A. bicarinata (A. corrugata x T. maxima), NE of Ouberg Pass

Astroloba corrugata, Arrievlakte, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Arrievlakte, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, W. Gouritz River bridge, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, W. Gouritz River bridge, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, W. Gouritz River bridge, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Klein Doornrivier, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Klein Doornrivier, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Klein Doornrivier, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Lemoenshoek, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Lemoenshoek, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Lemoenshoek, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Langrant, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Langrant, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Langrant, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, N. Bon Accord, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, N. Bon Accord, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, N. Bon Accord, NEW PHOTO

A. corrugata, A. skinneri (A. corrugata X T. pumila),
N. Bon Accord,
 NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, N. Buffelspoort, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, N. Buffelspoort, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, E. Driefontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, E. Driefontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, E. Driefontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Keurfontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Buffelspoort, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Miertjieskraal, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Miertjieskraal, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Miertjieskraal, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata (with Euph. suzannae), Springfontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, Springfontein, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, S. Platsekboomkop, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, S. Platsekboomkop, NEW PHOTO

Astroloba corrugata, S. Platsekboomkop, NEW PHOTO


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