Astroloba spiralis is a compact
Astroloba species, with upright, erect stems that are densely covered in pointed succulent leaves. Stems are roughly 15 cm in diameter, and reach a height of 200 mm. The leaves are blue-green to grey in colour, they grow in 5 rows that sometimes form a gentle spiral. The leaves also have smooth surfaces (unlike the tubercled leaves of
Astroloba bullulata and
Astroloba corrugata). Each leaf typically has an oblique keel near the point. The flowers appear in autumn (December to May). This species is easily confused with its close relative, the rare
Astroloba herrei. Both plants also have inflated, puffed up flowers (
perianths). However, the flowers of
Astroloba spiralis are wrinkled (transversely rugose), and not smooth like those of
A. herrei.
A. spiralis is also genetically distinct, being a tetraploid. Usually
spiralis also has more erect leaves (unlike the more spreading leaves of
A. herrei) but this is not a rule, and only the flowers can be used to distinguish these two species with certainty. Astroloba spiralis in cultivation - Cape Town.jpg|
Astroloba spiralis in cultivation - locality Calitzdorp 1 Red Astroloba spiralis.jpg|
Astroloba spiralis in habitat Astroloba spiralis flowers.jpg|The wrinkled ("rugose") flowers of
A. spiralis. Curtis's botanical magazine (Plate 1455) (8246936159).jpg|
Astroloba spiralis, from an 1812 botanical drawing ==Distribution==