Gasteria excelsa aka Ox Tongue

Gasteria excelsa is a succulent perennial in the Asphodelaceae family. Its common names include thicket ox tongue and regal ox tongue. It comes from South Africa’s Eastern Cape, including coastal areas. It grows in the Transkei, on inland cliffs and rocky shores. Dense, shaded thicket and south-facing rock slopes form its main habitats. Its native climate is subtropical, with little frost. Most rain falls in summer. Wild plants are widespread, and LLIFLE reports no current threat.

This species ranks among the largest gasterias. Its solitary rosettes reach 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 metres) tall. They spread about 2–2.5 feet (0.6–0.75 metres) wide. The short, leafy stem makes the plant look stemless. Each dense rosette holds about ten to thirty thick leaves. Outer leaves spread outward and may curve back. Inner leaves stand more upright. The plant has a large root system, an important trait for container growing.

Mature leaves are dark green, with faint pale spots. These spots can form bands across the leaf. Some plants have markings that are hard to see. The upper leaf face has a shallow channel. A keel runs along the underside. Leaf edges can be sharp, smooth, or strongly toothed. Mature leaves feel smooth, while young leaves have rough surfaces. Young plants also have tongue-shaped leaves arranged in two ranks. Their white spots are denser than those on mature plants.

Tall, branched flower stalks rise above the rosette. They reach about 3.3–6.2 feet (1–1.9 metres) high. Each plant can carry one to three stalks. The flowers have a narrow, swollen lower section. Their bases are pale pink, though white occurs rarely. Pale tips carry green stripes. In its native range, flowering runs from November to February. Sunbirds pollinate the flowers. The fruits measure about 0.7–0.8 inches (17–20 millimetres) long. Seeds measure about 0.16–0.2 inches (4–5 millimetres) long.

Gardeners grow this species as an ornamental container plant. LLIFLE reports that it grows well in cultivation. Growers can raise it from seed or leaf cuttings. Its brittle leaves can break into pieces that form new plants. This trait also helps it spread within its rocky habitat. Its shaded wild sites offer useful context, but do not establish exact indoor light needs.