Haworthia magnifica var. acuminata

Haworthia magnifica var. acuminata is a stemless leaf succulent forming clumps of leaf rosettes; a mature rosette measuring about 8 cm across.

Part of a very variable species, the firm leaves are truncate in their upper triangular areas, tapering to elongated terminal bristles. The leaves become about 5 cm long. Leaf colour is dark green, brownish-green or purplish. Four or five veins are positioned longitudinally across the translucent upper leaf surfaces. These surfaces are rough, as are the leaf margins that have small, whitish teeth, also present on the keel.

The inflorescence reaches 40 cm in height, the single raceme of 14 cm carrying about 20 spirally arranged flowers, of which up to three may be open at the same time. The white perianth is about 12 mm long with green lines along the segment keels. The plant flowers in autumn.

The distribution lies in the southern part of the Western Cape. This variety may at present form part of H. mirabilis. It is in a complex of Haworthia plants likely to be reviewed taxonomically yet again (Scott, 1985; www.llifle.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).