Haworthia multifolia

Haworthia multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Haworthia multifolia (M.B.Bayer) I.Breuer

multifolia: many-leaved.

H. multifolia has stemless rosette, slowly proliferating, size is 4 - 8 cm. Leaves are upright with prominent translucent tips, color is light green. In nature they grow between large pebbles in open areas. Common plants around are H. arachnoidea var. nigricans and Gasteria brachyphylla. It was described by M.B.Bayer as variety of H. emelyae, but recent exploration showed it could be related to maraisii/magnifica complex via plants from near Brandrivier and Barrydale in the West. In the East it is related to breuerii and wimii (all H. emelyae var. major sensu MBB). Because of all this unsolved relationships, I agree with I. Breuer and use name H. mutlifolia.

Distribution map

H. multifolia grows from Garcias Pass in the East to Brandrivier in the West. Plants from Springfontein (Type locality) are much more robust in cultivation than plants from Muiskraal, which have much shorter leaves. There is one more record of this species more to the East on Kareekloof farm, here plants have semi-erect, short and more robust leaves. They grow not far away from H. breueri, which has more flat leaves and open rosette.

H. multifolia is well known in cultivation. It can be propagated by seed or offsetts. Growing conditions are same as for other similar types of Haworthias. 

Flower of H. multifolia, near Muiskraal

Synonym:
H. emelyae var. multifolia

Known locality:

• Brandrivier (3321CC)
• Springfontein (3321CC)
• W. Springfontein (3321CC)
• E. Springfontein (3321CC)
• Muiskraal (3321CC)
• Kareekloof (3321CD) 

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, South, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, South, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, South, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, South, NEW PHOTO

Locality of H. multifolia, Springfontein, South, NEW PHOTO

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, East

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, East

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, East

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, East

Haworthia multifolia, Springfontein, East

Locality of H. multifolia, Springfontein, East

Haworthia multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Haworthia multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Haworthia multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Haworthia multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Locality of H. multifolia, Groot Phesantefontein

Haworthia multifolia, Brandrivier

Haworthia multifolia, Muiskraal

Haworthia multifolia, Muiskraal

Haworthia multifolia, Muiskraal

Haworthia multifolia, Muiskraal

Haworthia multifolia, Muiskraal

Locality of H. multifolia, Muiskraal

Haworthia multifolia, TL, Springfontein

Haworthia multifolia, TL, Springfontein

Haworthia multifolia, TL, Springfontein

Haworthia multifolia, TL, Springfontein

Haworthia multifolia/breueri 'maculosa', Kareekloof

Haworthia multifolia/breueri 'maculosa', Kareekloof

Haworthia multifolia/breueri 'maculosa', Kareekloof

Haworthia multifolia/breueri 'maculosa', Kareekloof

Locality of H. multifolia/breueri 'maculosa', Kareekloof