Aloe africana

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This section is dedicated toward maintaining one active thread for each Aloaceae species/subspecies/variety/cultivar. Please feel free to add information and/or photos to existing threads or start your own by adding Genus/species as the thread subject. Note that listings are displayed alphabetically. Enjoy!
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Geoff
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Aloe africana

#1

Post by Geoff »

This is a solitary, fairly common tree aloe from South Africa with some unique and spectacular flowers. Cold hardiness is slightly better than average. Rate of growth is moderate. Very tolerant of clay soils, shade, wind and generally poor care. Flowers in winter anywhere from early to late
Aloe africanas very nice mass flowering march.jpg
Aloe africanas very nice mass flowering march.jpg (178.78 KiB) Viewed 13925 times
Shots of plants growing in the Huntington Gardens, early winter
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Geoff
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Re: Aloe africana

#2

Post by Geoff »

leaf detail
leaf detail
Aloe africana leaf spines SC.JPG (97.83 KiB) Viewed 13925 times
my young plant
my young plant
Aloe africana nearly full flower 2-08.JPG (183.58 KiB) Viewed 13925 times
Leaves have lethal sharp spines along the margins. This tree aloe, along with Aloe rupestris, are among the most dangerous of the tree aloes to walk by- rip clothing and shred flesh effortlessly. Be careful!! Plants flower from a very early age (see mine above flowering just a few years after it was planted and barely had a stem)
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Geoff
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Re: Aloe africana

#3

Post by Geoff »

Aloe africana flowers.JPG
Aloe africana flowers.JPG (186.86 KiB) Viewed 13925 times
Aloe africana flower mine 3--08.JPG
Aloe africana flower mine 3--08.JPG (120.76 KiB) Viewed 13925 times
plant is easy to identify when in flower as the flowers curve upward as they open (not seen another tree aloe do this)
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GreekDesert
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Re: Aloe africana

#4

Post by GreekDesert »

Aloe africana
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zpunout
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Re: Aloe africana

#5

Post by zpunout »

young aloe africana first time in flower
young aloe africana first time in flower
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zpunout
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Re: Aloe africana

#6

Post by zpunout »

I think now that it might be a hybrid (possibly with a. ferox?) since the flowers don't seem to curve upwards as much as I expected.
2 weeks later
2 weeks later
IMG_20150615_103820.jpg (119.11 KiB) Viewed 13731 times
close up
close up
IMG_20150615_142825.jpg (136.98 KiB) Viewed 13731 times
aldannyoe
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Re: Aloe africana

#7

Post by aldannyoe »

Rare red flowering Aloe africana
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aldannyoe
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Re: Aloe africana

#8

Post by aldannyoe »

The more typical color
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