Sunbirds and stomachs
Name: Gasteria bicolor Haw Family: Asphodelaceae Common names: English - Lawyer’s Tongue; Xhosa - Intelezi
Description
Plants are decumbent to erect, 50-500mm tall, with a short, leafy stem, proliferating from the base to form small groups. Roots are succulent. Leaves distichous or spirally arranged, strap-shaped to linear, erectly spreading, rarely somewhat recurved, slightly falcate and twisted sideways; apices becoming incurved during the dry season; lower surface plane to convex, channeled during the dry season; upper surface convex when distichous, with one sided keel when spirally arranged, dark green and with dense white spots arranged in obscure transverse bands, rarely not spotted. Inflorescence rarely simple or branched from the middle, with up to eight erectly spreading branches. Seeds oblong to rectangular. Flowering time July to November, with a peak in September and October and sporadically throughout the year.
Conservation status
According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red list of South African Plants, Gasteria bicolor was not selected in any one of four screening processes for highlighting potential taxa of conservation concern for detailed assessment and was hence given an automated status of Least Concern (LC). http://redlist.sanbi.org
Distribution and habitat
Gasteria bicolor is widely distributed in the Eastern Cape, commonly on dry, alluvial coastal plains, in the river valleys and on mountainous terrain up to an altitude of 800m. This species is a typical component of subtropical thicket. In the north-east it also enters the noorsveld and the false karroid brokenveld.
The habitat is a dense, thorny, and in some areas impenetrable, sclerophyllous thicket 1-3 m tall. It grows on various rock and soil formations, including conglomerates, shales, mudstones and sandstones, aelionite, quartzitic sandstone and dolerite.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus is named for its stomach-shaped flowers (“gaster” is Latin for “stomach”); the species named bicolor because of its green leaves with dense white spots. Intelezi derives from the noun buthelezi meaning “slipperi- Learn about our natural heritage and the links between cultural and biological diversity ness” and refers to the ability of the medicine to make the user “slippery” (i.e. to get out of trouble).
Ecology
Gasterias flowers are visited by sunbirds ( Nectariniidae) as well as insects. When feeding, a bird perches on the scape, usually sitting on top or occasionally hanging from the below. Its curved beak is pushed neatly into the pendulous perianth which is then lifted into an erectly spreading position and the nectar is sucked up.
Uses and cultural aspects
Gasterias are collected from the wild without any ritual observance or ceremony and are simply transferred to containers or planted in the ground in strategic positions around the home and the cattle byre as protective charms against witchcraft, specifically in the form of lightning (often used as metaphor for evil spirits and witchcraft). An infusion of the crushed leaves is used as a ritual wash (iyeza lokuhlamba) to dispel nightmares and fears of the unknown to ensure positive results in exams, competitions and sports events; is splashed on the floor and walls of the home to drive off evil spirts; or taken orally as an emetic to ensure good fortune.
Growing Gasteria
Growing gasterias from cutting Leaf cuttings may be taken at any time of year although rooting takes place more quickly in the summer months.
When taking leaf cuttings, the lower the leaves may be removed without damaging the plant or causing it to look unsightly. Choose a healthy mature plant.
Take the lower leaf securely in the right hand while holding the plant with left. Twist the lower leaf sideways and it should detach itself at the base with minimal damages to the leaf or the plant.
To prevent any fungi from entering the open wound at the base of leaf, dip it into sul- phur and leave the detached leaf to heal for two weeks. (Leaf cuttings can also be taken with a knife).
Prepare soil medium as for all other plantings. Small containers or shallow trays can be used depending on the size of the leaves.
Firm down the soil to within 10 mm from the top of the container and place a leaf on the soil in a horizontal position, with the base lightly covered with soil. Keep it moist. When the leaves become turgid and firm, it is a sign that rooting has taken place, usually within few weeks. The cuttings will soon proliferate from the base to form dense clusters of offsets which may be planted out after a year or two.
When the offsets are ready for planting out, remove the rooted leaf cutting complete with its offsets. Gently wash away the soil from the roots and, using a sharp knife, cut off the offsets near the base of the attachment.
If, however the offsets are still very small, do not separate them from the original leaf cuttings but replant them all in the original container.