Unknown Ledebouria

[AbeelT]

Hello everyone,

I've been collecting Ledebouria for several years now, and I have consulted the valuable info on this genus on the PBS website many times. I recently came across these two plants that I cannot identify. I would appreciate your insights on this.

Earlier this month I found these plants at a cactus and succulent fair. They were labeled as "Ledebouria aff. revoluta". I have never seen Ledebouria like these, and I don't seem to find any similar looking plants online. The seller acquired two of these plants many years ago in Germany. The plants do not produce offsets/new bulbs, so they have to be propagated from seeds. 

Does anyone have any idea what species/variety this is?

Thanks in advance!

Thomas

[CG100]

The hassle with a lot of the genus is that they can vary quite a bit in appearance, especially if the species is native to a (very) large area. Also, many are wrongly identified in cultivation/trade.

I have 3 clones of L. revoluta imported from RSA (different nurseries). They vary quite a bit in the base colour of the leaves - from grey-green to deep green, and the depth of colour of the spots - from dark brown to pale, almost insignificant.

None look like your plant.
You plant is unusual in that the spotting appears to be the same form as in L. socialis - the spots are formed where there are breaks in the "silvery" surface to the leaf, revealing green spots, rather than being darker (brown) spots within the leaf (if that makes sense).

It MIGHT be a form of marginata - the "test" for the species is to try to tear a leaf, green or dry. It should be full of tough fibres that make tearing it difficult. (I have plants with this label from a very reputable SA nursery, but the leaves are virtually spotless and very pale grey-green, and not twisted. I have never torn a leaf...... Actually they are rather spectacular plants even with no flowers.)

If you search online there are several papers about Ledebouria published over the past 20 years, probably the most recent in Herbertia in 2008.

Searching online is fraught with difficulties as the only REALLY trustworthy sources are academic, botanical websites, and PBS.

I like Ledebouria too.................. I have 20+ different names (mostly species but also very distinct forms), and around another 10 that are different enough to be kept even when sharing a name on the label. L. socialis takes some beating..............if only it wasn't so easy to produce a great plant.........................
If their flowers were scented, or at least double the size, everyone would be collecting them.