an Haworthia

flower detail

Haworthias are an interesting genus of small succulents from South Africa and some of the miniature species which have glassy "window" type leaves make interesting pot plants, ideally suited to growing in a bonsai type container and displayed on a table top. The window type leaves are an adaptation to their environment. If surrounded by larger plants, such as grasses which may limit their growth potential; maximum sunlight is able to penetrate into the inside layer of the plants skin and thus produce more food for the plant. Haworthias also have contractile roots which draw the plants back into the soil during extended dry spells.They are not commonly available but specialist succulent nurseries always have some of these fascinating and very collectible plants for sale.