About Haworthia cymbiformis (Haw.) Duval
Haworthia cymbiformis (Haw.) Duval is a small Haworthia species that grows in clumps of rosettes made up of thick, fleshy, light green leaves. It belongs to the soft green group of Haworthias, and is frequently confused with its close relatives. These include Haworthia cooperi, which shares a similar natural distribution range, as well as Haworthia mucronata and Haworthia marumiana found to the west of its range. A key distinctive feature of this species is its soft, boat-shaped leaves; the species epithet "cymbiformis" literally translates to "boat-shaped". Its leaves are not recurved, unlike the leaves of retuse Haworthias such as Haworthia mirabilis or Haworthia retusa. Another recognizable trait is that its leaves usually have transparent streaks around their tips. In its wild habitat, sunlight is very bright, and the plant typically grows mostly buried by sand, with only these transparent leaf tips exposed above the ground. The natural distribution range of Haworthia cymbiformis runs roughly between Port Elizabeth and East London in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This range closely overlaps with that of its relative Haworthia cooperi. The two species occupy different habitats in this area: Haworthia cymbiformis grows on cliffs, while Haworthia cooperi grows on lowland plains. The entire region is a summer rainfall area.
