10. Haworthia decipiens V.Poelln., Feddes Repert.Spec.Nov. 28:103(1930). Bayer :111(1976). Bayer :37(1976). H. pearsonii Wright sensu C.L. Scott, Aloe 18:7(1980). Scott :44(1985). Type: Cape, near Zwartberg mountains, Mrs van der Bijl. Not preserved. Neotype (designated here): CAPE-3322 (Oudtshoorn): Kleinsleutelfontein, E. Prince Albert (-AB), Bayer 5157 (NBG).
decipiens: deceiving.
Rosette stemless, slowly proliferous, to 20cm φ. Leaves broadly ovate sometimes acuminate, relatively thin, marginal spines sparse but broad at the base, bright green in colour. Inflorescence robust, simple. Flowers many, densely arranged, broad and flat across top.
1982 – Von Poellnitz recorded this species only once from the Zwartberg Mountain in the Prince Albert district and derived the name from the similarity to H. arachnoidea. As pointed out in the discussion on H. arachnoidea, there may be a close relationship between these species. Available distribution information indicates that they may be geographically complementary. However, at its most westerly point (Klaarstroom), H. decipiens has the broad flat yellowish‑green leaves of H. Iockwoodii but with sparse, short broad marginal spines. The leaf tips do not die back. H. decipiens may grow up to 120mm in diameter but it occurs in smaller forms too, only 30‑40mm in diameter. From Klaarstroom it extends eastward to Springbokvlakte in the south. Northwards it is found from Klipplaat to Pearston. However, in this area there is some deviation from the typical form and the plants tend to have translucent areas in the leaf with a tendency to be bluish‑green. There is thus a suggestion of intergradation with H. bolusii and H. cooperi on the grounds of both superficial similarities and distribution. The picture in the west is similarly obscure and the forms regarded as H . decipiens east of Uniondale also have leaf translucence, but tend to be a darker purplish‑green. In the Groot River area west of Campherpoort, H. decipiens occurs as a dwarfed form with notably incurved leaves.
1999 – Although von Poellnitz described this species in 1930, by 1938 he had still recorded only this single collection. However, in the absence of a preserved specimen and adequate locality data, there can be no certainty that the original description is correctly interpreted. In all its guises it is a very common species as recognised here; and the type, as selected here seems to represents the species as it is more generally known. The type selected by Breuer and Metzing is unfortunate as it is not geographically correct and is better related to the blue-green var. cyanea.
Col Scott has taken the view that H. decipiens is synonymous with H. pearsonii Wright but unfortunately does not consider or refer to H. decipiens sensu Bayer anywhere in his revision. It is as difficult to relate the Kew illustration (presumably the chosen lectotype) of H. pearsonii to a natural population. It apparently does not have translucent leaf faces. H. decipiens of von Poellnitz was a relatively small plant and if indeed it came from north of the Zwartberg mountains as the reference to the Prince Albert district suggests, then it could probably be only as interpreted here, or as a variant of H. marumiana. Von Poellnitz did not relate his H. decipiens to pearsonii so it is an improbable option. Scott’s illustration is not representative of either of these interpretations and, without reference to locality, could be of the var. cyanea here described (the blue-green form). It seems to compare very poorly with the Kew illustration. The species as recognised here is a very complex one with connections to H. bolusii, H. lockwoodii, H. mucronata, H. cooperi and also H. gracilis.
a. var. decipiens.
It is concluded that von Poellnitz’ species did in fact come from the Prince Albert area where the species transposes to H. lockwoodii. The var. cyanea is also found in the same general area and it is smaller and with more incurved leaves. The species is most strongly represented in the Willowmore, Steytlerville area where the plants are large and robust. The leaves may recurve and are heavily spined with large spines, rather broad and flat at the base. Interspersed over the same area, and extending to the east, is a smaller form which tends to develop reddish venation.
Distribution: 3221 (Merweville), Prince Albert (-DC), Bolus 11657 (BOL, PRE). 3224 (Graaff Reinet): near Jansenville (-DC), Smith 3642 (NBG). 3322(Oudtshoorn): W. Prince Albert (-AA), Bayer 5182 (NBG); Kleinsleutelfontein, E. Prince Albert (-AB), Bayer 5157 (NBG); W. Klaarstroom (-BC), Bruyns in KG124/77 (NBG); S. Prince Albert (-CA), Bayer 5261 (NBG). 3323 (Willowmore): Skerpkop, E. Willowmore (-AD), Bayer in KG231/70 (NBG); Constantia (-BB), Bayer in KG140/72 (NBG). 3324 (Steytlerville): Campherpoort (-AA), Smith 3649, 3657 (NBG); Steytlerville (-AD), Rossouw 453 (NBG); Kleinpoort (-BD), Smith 7065 (NBG); Dam se Drif (-CA), Rossouw 478 (NBG), Bruyns 1842 (NBG); S. Steytlerville (-CA), Stayner in KG637/61 (NBG); 3325 (Port Elizabeth): 20km N. Glenconnor (-AC), Long (BOL).
Inadequately located: Kleinswartberg, Wood (BOL).
Haworthia decipiens var. decipiens JDV96/102 Tierberg. This is a smaller variant in which the venation is reddish. 
Haworthia decipiens var. decipiens JDV94/93 Springbokvlakte. The range of variation is not well understood and some populations resemble H. bolusii var. blackbeardiana. 
Haworthia decipiens var. decipiens JDV94/73 west of Klipplaat. There are transformations to the smaller var. minor and to this, the red-veined form mentioned. 
Haworthia decipiens var. decipiens JDV87/169 south of Stytlerville. The better known forms are large with spreading open leaves which are strongly spined. 
Haworthia decipiens var. decipiens JDV94/69 Kleinsleutelfontein. Considered to be fairly typical of a very variable complex.
b. var. cyanea var.nov.
Type: CAPE-3324 (Steytlerville): Fairview, W. Jansenville (-CD), Bayer 4180 (NBG, Holo.).
cyanea: blue.
Differs in being smaller with incurving leaves and in the bluish-green coloration. (A var. decipiens foliis venetis incurvatis differt).
This variety occurs north of the mountains between Jansenville and occurs as far to the northwest as Merweville. It is distinguished from H. arachnoidea by its translucence in the upper leaf and by the more robust spines. Herbarium specimens will be even more difficult to separate and two specimens cited under H. arachnoidea from the Jansenville area, may in fact be specimens of H. decipiens var. cynaea It generally differs from H. bolusii var. blackbeardiana also on account of the robust spines but also for the broader and shorter leaves.
Distribution: 3221 (Merweville): De List, Merweville (-CB), Bayer 2377 (NBG). 3222 (Beaufort West): Trakas Kuilen (-DC), Bayer sn. (NBG). 3224 (Graaff Reinet): Fairview, west of Jansenville (-CD), Bayer 4180 (NBG); Meerlust (-DC), Bayer & Bruyns 6580 (NBG). 3322 (Oudtshoorn): E. Klaarstroom (-BC), Bayer 4440 (NBG). 3323 (Willowmore): S. Rietbron (-AB), Bruyns in KG 439/75 (NBG); Beervlei (-AB), Latti in KG56/78 (NBG); Georgida (-AD), Bayer in KG436/75 (NBG); Zuurberg near Georgida (-AD); Fourcade 4637 (NBG); Nahoogte (-BC), Van Jaarsveld 7865 (NBG); N. Uniondale (-CA), Bayer 2083 (NBG), Bruyns 2241b (NBG). 3324 (Steytlerville): Hanekam (-BD), Bayer 4657 (NBG).
Inadequately located: Georgida, Fourcade 4637 (BOL); Uniondale, Van Blerk (BOL).
Haworthia decipiens var. cyanea MBB6580 north of Jansenville. Very like H. archnoidea but with bluish-green leaves and translucence in the upper-leaf. 
Haworthia decipiens var. cyanea JDV90/103 soth-west of Merweville. Notmany populations are known, but it may be more abundant in the southern Karoo than supposed.
c. var. minor var.nov.
Type: CAPE-3324 (Steytlerville): Kleinpoort, Smith 3588 (NBG, Holo.).
minor: smaller.
Differs in being much smaller, to 6cm φ, with broad incurved leaves, and light green in colour. (A var. decipiens foliis valde parvioribus incurvatis et subviridibus differt).
Occurs in the Groot River valley between the ranges. It may be directly related to H. gracilis var. viridis, and the transition to that species can be followed southward through the Zeekoeinek Pass near Baroe. Northwards the transition is to the var. pringlei. A similar transition to H. translucens var. viridis occurs in the Perdepoort north of Sapkamma.
Distribution: 3225 (Somerset East):In valley behind Bosberg (-DA), Van Der Westhuizen 287 (PRE). 3323 (Willowmore): Redcliffe (-BA), Bruyns 7052 (BOL). 3324 (Steytlerville): Campherpoort (-AB), Smith 7061 (NBG); Campherpoort (-AA), Barker 5009 (NBG), Bayer in KG 315/70 (NBG); Grootriver, Mara (-AA), Bayer 2076 (NBG); Tuinskloof (-AC), Bruyns 3125 (NBG); NE. Steytlerville (-AD), Smith 3591 (NBG); Waaipoort (-AD), Bayer & Bruyns 6583 (NBG); NW. Die Bordjie (-BC), Bayer & Bruyns 6587 (NBG); Two Waters (-BC), Smith 7244 (NBG); Kleinpoort (-BD), Smith 3588 (NBG); Baviaanskloof (-CA), Wisura 1837 (NBG); Ouplaas (-DB), Bruyns 7040 (BOL). 3325(Port Elizabeth): Sapkamma to Perdepoort (-AC), Bayer & Venter 6618, 6619 (NBG).
Haworthia decipiens var. minor JDV91/118 west of Sprinbokvlakte. The plants grow larger in cultivation. 
Haworthia decipiens var. minor JDV96/71 north of Campherpoort. Where the species occurs in sandstone it changes to this smaller form which varies continuously with H. gracilis (notably the var. viridis).
d. var. pringlei (Scott) Bayer comb.nov.
H. pringlei Scott, Bradleya 12:103(1994). Type: 3224 (Graaff Reinet): Adelaide district (-DD), Scott in PRE8970.
pringlei: for Victor Pringle.
This bright green plant with contrasting white spines has been known for a long time and is represented by many collections from the general area of Jansenville, Klipplaat, Aberdeen, and Pearston. These are well represented in the Compton Herbarium. The leaves are incurved and erect to sub-erect and not as broad and ovate-deltoid as in the typical variety. The connection to Adelaide is by no means clear and there is very little to substantiate this as a discrete element in that area. This is because H. cooperi, H. bolusii var. blackbeardiana, H. gracilis and H. cymbiformis all present problems of their own there. I have a collection from Baviaanskrans which I have placed with H. bolusii var. blackbeardiana and it is to a degree very similar to this element.
Distribution: 3223 (Rietbron): S. Aberdeen (-DC), Perry 659 (NBG). 3224 (Graaff Reinet): Aberdeen Road (-CD), C.A. Smith 2806a (PRE); Oatlands (-CD), Smith 907 (NBG); Ebenezer (-DB), Smith 7245 (NBG), Bayer 2070 (NBG); Harefield (-DB), Smith 7244 (NBG); Welgelegen (-DC), Bayer & Bruyns 6581 (NBG); Jansenville (-DC), Stayner in KG188/62 (NBG); Adelaide district (-DD), Scott in PRE 8970. 3324(Steytlerville): Klipplaat (-AB), Branch (NBG); SE. Mt.Stewart (-AB), Bayer & Bruyns 6582 (NBG).
Haworthia decipiens var. pringlei JDV received from Dr. V.B. Reddi. There may be a closer relationship to H. bolusii var. blackbeardiana and there is a collection from south of Eastpoort which supports that possibility.
The description of var. cyanea mentions is smaller then var. decipiens, but can you mention the approximate size of a fully grown plant of var. cyanea?
Bruce Bayer replies … Dear Antonie, Thank you for your comment/question. A lot of water has passed since Haworthia revisited was manuscripted in 1996. Most of the species have undergone a major conceptual change since then and it has become increasingly difficult to justify recognition of varieties and if even some of the species are in fact discrete entities. Perhaps if you refer to the updates (Haworthiaupdates.org) you will get a better idea of the complexity. The recognition of a colour variant of decipiens is not justified and neither the size. There is a further problem in that the name decipiens may in fact be preceded by the name xiphiophylla and in the intellectual flatulence of plant nomenclature I am sure someone will be fiddling with name changes.Warm regards, Bruce
I would love to find a copy of Haworthia Revisited by Bruce Bayer, can any one help?
Expensive, but several used copies are listed on Amazon.