Haworthia cooperi var. leightonii

Haworthia cooperi var. leightonii is one of the thirteen varieties of the species still mentioned in the literature, although not dealt with in much detail. The cultivated plant in picture has produced several lateral leaf rosettes around the compact central one. Leaf rosettes of several varieties are often partly buried in the ground.

The thickly succulent leaves taper quickly to pointed tips, the upper leaf parts translucent between erect, opaque veins. The margins have tiny, somewhat thread-like and clearly harmless pale teeth, mostly on their lower parts. Older leaves may become pale red brown.

A sturdy inflorescence stalk emerges from the centre. The white flowers of the species generally appear in summer.

The species is found in a central part of the Eastern Cape, this variety known near the coast around halfway between Port Alfred and East London. Some of the varieties grow among rocks, sometimes under bigger vegetation. The status of this plant in survival terms is unknown (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Smith, et al, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).