GASTERIAS 579 
keeled, edges finely toothed. Flowers orange-red, turning yellow; scape 
1 foot high ; November. 
In the South of England Kniphofias are quite hardy 
in well-drained soils, but farther north they require some 
protection in winter, which may be given in the shape of dry fern or 
dead leaves. They succeed best in a light sandy soil, and must have plenty 
of water whilst growing. They are also much benefited by top-dress- 
ings of well-rotted manure. They may be propagated by separating (in 
autumn) the offsets that form round the old root. Seed may be sown in 
pans during April and May, germinated in a frame, and kept under glass 
for the first year. 
Description of Kniphofia aloides, or Flame Flower. Upper portions 
269. of leaves and scape of the natural size. Fig. 1, a detached 
flower ; 2, a section of the same. 
Cultivation. 
GASTERIAS 
Natural Order LiniAcE&. Genus Gasteria 
GASTERIA (Greek, gaster, the belly, suggested by the swollen base 
of the flowers). A genus of about fifty succulent-leaved greenhouse 
perennials, closely allied to the Aloes. The thick fleshy leaves are 
tongue-shaped, usually in two rows or rosette-like, covered with spots 
or warts, and clasping each other at the base. The flowers are red 
tipped with green, of long, curved, tubular form, with swollen base and 
six-parted mouth, in a raceme 1 to 3 feet long, supported on a 
slender bracted scape, about a foot long. The six stamens are attached 
to the base of the tube, and the capsule is somewhat ribbed. They 
are all natives of the Cape of Good Hope. 
The first living Gasterias introduced to Britain date 
7 from 1731, when G. angustifolia, G. carinata, and G. 
verrucosa came hither. These were followed in 1759 by two other species, 
G. maculata and G. pulchra, and in 1796 by G. glabra. G. brevifolia 
appeared about 1809, G. acinacifolia in 1819, G. disticha in 1820, 
and G. variolosa in 1860. Many others have been introduced, but the 
most important species have been mentioned above. 
GASTERIA BREVIFOLIA (short-leaved). Leaves ten or — 
twelve, 3 to 4 inches long, dirty green plentifully spotted 
with white. Flowers red, an inch long; July. Height, 2 feet. 
G. CARINATA (keeled). Leaves fifteen to twenty, crowded, lance- 
Principal Species. 
