Haworthia splendens

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens J.D.Venter & S.A.Hammer

splendens: splendid

H. splendens is without any doubts one of the nicest and most atractive plant. It has stemless rosette, slowly proliferous. It is almost necessity to have in your collection a couple of this nature beauties. Habitat looks very unassuming from far away - H. splendens grows on an elevation covered with shrub and grass, but from closer, some stones among grass marks ideal habitat for Haworthias.

Distribution map

H. splendens is known from two localities West from Albertinia. First locality at Snymanskraal has two small populations (GM282 and GM447). Second locality (GM452) is much larger and with good number of plants. In recent time was this population threatened by some illegal collection, farming activities and also porcupines "activities". Luckily there was a project of BCSS and Haworthia Society, which provided fencing the area (75m x 50m) a keep all predators outside and protect the species for the future generation. Thanks to this!!! We have visited the locality in October 2012 and 2014 to observe the fenced area. Plants are in excellent condition,  well done. There is another population few hundreds metres with smaller amount of plants - see my older photos from Soutpankoppies North. Amongst normal splendens is growing a natural hybrid with H. floribunda var. dentata. See photos below. You can see there several degrees of hybridization. Some of the hybrids are very attractive.

There were several discoveries on surrounding area, but no other true H. splendens was found. For example: plants from the East of Albertinia are now described as H. esterhuizenii, other population more to the East is described as H. vincentii. There is a strange population virtually only few km to the East from splendens locality, here the population seems to be an intermediate between dekenahii and splendens - this was described as H. fusca.

H. splendens is not difficult to grow. Propagation can by done by seeds or leaf cuttings. If you will grow them uder to much shadow, they can loose its markings.

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Snymanskraal, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Locality of H. splendens, Soutpankoppies North, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

recently fenced area at locality of H. splendens, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Haworthia splendens X H. floribunda, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

H. splendens X floribunda, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

H. splendens X floribunda, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

H. splendens X floribunda, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

H. splendens X floribunda, Soutpankoppies South, W. Albertinia

Synonym:
H. magnifica var. splendens

Known localities:

• Albertinia (3421BC)
• W. Albertinia (3421BC)
• Soutpankoppies (3421BC)
• Snymanskraal (3421BC)