Haworthia truncata
Haworthia truncata, locally known as horse's teeth, is a species of succulent plant in the genus "Haworthia". It is found in the Little Karoo region, in the far east of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Description. It is a small plant, being approximately high by wide. This species is easily recognizable by its leaves which have a nearly rectangular crosssection and are arranged in two opposite rows. The leaves are gray or gray-green and are held more or less upright. The end of a leaf – the upper surface – gives the impression of having been cut  (or truncated), hence the specific epithet "truncata". The leaves are covered in white or gray lines with verrucosities. In the wild, plants are often half-buried, leaving only the tips of the leaves visible above the soil. The truncated tip has a leaf window; i.e. it is translucent, allowing light to enter for photosynthesis. In this respect the species resembles "Lithops", "Fenestraria", and "Haworthia cymbiformis". The flowers are not very showy, emerging in white, tubular clusters on a stem. Varieties and cultivars. Varieties. Haworthia truncata" var. "maughanii Haworthia truncata" var. "truncata Cultivars. In cultivation a wide variety of cultivars have  been produced, through selective breeding of varieties and through hybridisation. Cultivation. This species is increasingly common in cultivation and is very easy to propagate in large numbers. It can be grown from seed, from off-sets, from root cuttings and even from leaf-cuttings. It also readily hybridises with other "Haworthia" species. It requires very well-drained soil, and some exposure to sun. It is also one of the few "Haworthia" species that can become adapted to a full sun environment. Its natural habitat in the Little Karoo is arid, but with sparse rainfall intermittently throughout the year. In the  gentle (often semi-shade) conditions in cultivation, the leaves tend to grow upwards and outside of the soil. In temperate regions, "H. truncata" is usually grown under glass, as it does not tolerate freezing temperatures. In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.