All you wanted to know about Haworthias, Gasterias and Astrolobas: 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.