Fauna
Plant

Swati Haworthia

Haworthiopsis limifolia

Also known as Fairy Washboard, File-Leaved Haworthia

Fairy washboards form low, compact rosettes of spiraling triangular leaves marked by prominent, raised transverse ridges resembling an old-fashioned washboard. These durable succulents spread slowly via underground stolons, anchoring into shallow gravel and shaded fissures on steep rock faces. Long valued in traditional southern African healing, wild populations face significant collection pressure across their fragmented native range.

SucculentDrought-TolerantPerennial
Swati Haworthia reference
(c) Dave Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Baboons
  • Rodents
ThreatsUnsustainable harvesting for traditional medicine and illegal succulent collecting
HabitatsRocky outcrops, sheltered cliff ledges, and semi-arid bushveld
Life span15–30+ years
Classification
  1. OrderAsparagales
  2. FamilyAsphodelaceae
  3. GenusHaworthiopsis
  4. SpeciesHaworthiopsis limifolia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for dark green, highly textured rosettes with corrugated ribs growing wedged in rocky crevices.
Support conservation
Leave wild plants undisturbed and refrain from posting exact GPS coordinates publicly.
Responsible observation
  • Cultivation Ethics: Purchase plants only from registered nurseries that propagate through seed or tissue culture.
  • Field Observation: Look in the shade of boulders or shrubs where the washboard leaf ridges trap moisture.
  • Habitat Protection: Avoid walking on thin scree soils or dislodging loose stones around rock ledges.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…