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June 28, 2011 8:37 PM   Subscribe

Mefi botanists: what is this strange cactus-like vine-y plant?

I saw the pot at work and wanted one of my own, but no one knew what it was. The "leaves" on the vines are quite thick, curved, and taper to a needle-sharp point.

I can tell it's the sort of random pre-potted ornamental plant that tend to live in offices, so I have no idea how easy it would be to acquire my own. Still, I've never seen a plant like this before and my curiosity is driving me crazy.
posted by The demon that lives in the air to Home & Garden (7 answers total) 12 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: It looks like Haworthia coarctata. I've never grown this particular succulent so I can't offer up any advice...hopefully this'll get you started!
posted by pilibeen at 8:56 PM on June 28, 2011


The botanist on the other end of the couch from me agrees it looks like some kind of Haworthia, and says there are a zillion species.
posted by hattifattener at 9:00 PM on June 28, 2011


Response by poster: Oh yeah, that's got to be it. The plant had those bumpy bits on each leaf, which I realize I neglected to mention. I have no idea where I'm going to find one, but at least I have something to call it. Thanks!
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 9:15 PM on June 28, 2011


Also thought haworthia, as well as related genuses gasteria and astroloba (the latter do tend towards that spiny tip). If it were me I might try going after a cutting (review propagating from offset info here - under Haworithia and Related Plants, Haworthia, Propagation)... could be a bad idea though, damage to the parent creating a spot inviting to rot... some of those fronds look remarkably independent though... worth reading up on anyway.
posted by nanojath at 9:32 PM on June 28, 2011


Try looking on eBay.
posted by dws at 11:53 PM on June 28, 2011


I'm pretty sure, based on looking at a larger specimen today and then buying a 3" one (from Dig Gardens in Santa Cruz), that it's a Haworthia Reinwardtii.
posted by dws at 7:44 PM on June 30, 2011


Nope, not Haworthia Reinwardtii, which is a much slower grower.
posted by dws at 9:28 PM on December 9, 2011


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