Astroloba herrei
Astroloba herrei is a small succulent plant of the genus "Astroloba", restricted to the area around the Swartberg mountains, South Africa. It is listed as a Vulnerable species on the Red List of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Description. "Astroloba herrei" is a compact "Astroloba" species, with stems growing up to 20 cm high, that are densely covered in pointed succulent leaves. Flowers appear from June to November. With its sharp, grey-green, keeled leaves, and its puffed up, inflated flowers, the species is easily mistaken for the closely related "Astroloba spiralis" species. However it is  genetically distinct and can always be distinguished by its flowers. Both "spiralis" and "herrei" have puffed up, inflated flowers, but those of "herrei" are smooth (unlike "spiralis", which has a wrinkled, transversely rugose, perianth). Other less reliable ways of identifying "herrei" are the fine, dark, longitudinal lines (striations) which are sometimes visible below the surface of the leaves, and the slight blueish colour which herrei attains in sheltered or shaded environments. Leaves often feature narrowly acuminate leaf tips that spread outwards more strongly than in "spiralis". However these are not certain ways of identifying it; the only sure way of  distinguishing this species with certainty is by its flowers. A variety of this plant was formerly recognised as a separate species, "Astroloba dodsoniana" (Uitewaal). The dark longitudinal stripes of this variety of "herrei" are faint or even invisible, and the leaves are slightly paler. This is just a growth form and it can appear at random among normal "herrei" plants in all "herrei" populations. Distribution. This species has historically been considered rare, disjunct and restricted to small populations near Uniondale in the Little Karoo, and the widely separated Prince Albert in the Great Karoo. In 2017 its distribution was revised  when it was found to be widespread in the more remote areas north of the Swartberg mountains. The species is listed as Vulnerable - partly because it was believed to have a very restricted range, and partly because it is threatened by habitat destruction and illegal collecting. In habitat, it grows on Karoo flats, often underneath bushes which provide it with some protection from the sun.