{{Short description|Species of succulent}} {{Italic title}} {{Speciesbox |taxon = Gasteria bicolor |image = Gasteria bicolor var bicolor 3.jpg |image_caption = ''Gasteria bicolor'' in cultivation (The main ''"bicolor"'' variety) |authority = (L.) Haw. }}
'''''Gasteria bicolor''''' (previously named ''Gasteria obliqua'' or ''Gasteria maculata'') is a species of succulent flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, native to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
==Description== thumb|left|''Gasteria bicolor'' flowers. thumb|right|The tiny ''Gasteria bicolor'' var. ''lilliputana'' This is a very variable species of ''Gasteria'', common in cultivation. It grows multiple proliferous stems, all covered in untidy masses of the shiny, mottled, colourful, succulent leaves. It usually forms rosettes, but can sometimes be distichous, especially in cultivation. The leaves can also occasionally develop a keel. Each leaf has a sharp point on the tip.
The flowers generally appear on a long stem of about {{convert|30 |cm|in|abbr=on}}, that carries tubular bell-shaped pink to orange flowers.<ref>[https://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=2214-7 Gasteria bicolor - SANBI redlist page]</ref><ref>[https://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/GASTERIA/Gasteria_bicolor/Gasteria_bicolor_bicolor/Gasteria_bicolor.htm Gasteria bicolor - Gasteria information page]</ref>
There are three major varieties, which grade into each other: * ''Gasteria bicolor'' var. ''bicolor'' (Haw.) The more widespread type variety. * ''Gasteria bicolor'' var. ''fallax'' (Haw.) A variety with narrow, elongated, linear, mottled leaves (c.140 x 11mm). Dense clumps are known from the Albany thickets near Swartwaterspoort. * ''Gasteria bicolor'' var. ''lilliputana'' (Poelln.) Previously classed as the species ''"Gasteria liliputana"''. The smallest variety in the entire genus ''Gasteria'', the rosettes are around {{convert|3|in|cm}} wide. The foliage is dark green with white spots. It is relatively rare and occurs in the Grahamstown area.<ref name="Keen2011">{{cite book|author=Bill Keen|title=CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: Step-by-Step to Growing Success|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yvg8BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT197|date=18 October 2011|publisher=Crowood Press, Limited|isbn=978-1-84797-350-4|page=197}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1255/|title=davesgarden.com|access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="Pittenger2006">{{cite book|author=Dennis R. Pittenger|title=Retail Garden Center Manual|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7E2xnsKG9zAC&pg=PA67|date=1 January 2006|publisher=UCANR Publications|isbn=978-1-879906-74-7|page=67}}</ref>
==Distribution== ''G. bicolor'' naturally occurs over a wide area of the Eastern Cape. In its natural habitat, it is typically found on rocky slopes and outcrops in the thicket vegetation of the region, and is particularly common around Port Elizabeth, a summer rainfall region. Its natural range overlaps with several other species of ''Gasteria''.<ref>[http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/gasteriabicollil.htm Gasteria bicolor - PlantZAfrica.com information page]</ref>
==Cultivation== This species is popular in cultivation, although it is slow growing. It prefers well-drained rich soil and summer watering. Only hardy down to {{convert|5 |C|F|abbr=on}}, in temperate regions it must be grown under glass in the winter months. Cultivation requirements are similar to those for other succulents and cacti. The variety ''G. bicolor'' var. ''lilliputana'' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref name = RHSPF>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/140195/i-Gasteria-bicolor-i-var-i-liliputana-i/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder - ''Gasteria bicolor'' var. ''lilliputana'' | access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 39 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 27 February 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{Commons category|Gasteria obliqua}} {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1439759}}
Category:Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces bicolor