Gasteria brachyphylla var. brachyphylla leaves

The white-mottled leaves of this Gasteria brachyphylla var. brachyphylla plant, the bigger of the two varieties, were photographed near Oudtshoorn. They have the thickly succulent, flat shape that gave several gasterias the Afrikaans common name of beestong (cattle tongue).

Likeness resulting in name-giving is often based on analogy of only one or a fraction of the features linking the similar concepts or objects. Green colour, a sharp point and numerous, scattered white dots on a cow’s tongue would really worry the farmer. Promptly taken to market, prospective buyers should heed the caveat emptor warning. A green-tongued cow for sale is not a gift horse.