This is one of the most commonly misidentified aloes in cultivation, usually referred to incorrectly as Aloe ibitiensis (which is very different looking aloe, though also Madagascan). I am not sure where the first screw up occurred, but have noticed this plant published in the wonderful two part texts 'Succulents and Xerophytic Plants of Madagascar' under that very incorrect name. This plant has a rather unique appearance, and though there are a few other lineated Madagascan aloes (most notably Aloe manandonae), they are far rarer and tend to be solitary species. This plant is an aggressive offsetter and has thick, very fleshy, almost rubbery pale green leaves with a subtle translucence to them. Leaves are straight and not easy to bend without breaking, short and lancelote. Flowers are also rather unique for a Madagascan aloe, being pale to deep salmon colored and blooming early in the 'aloe season' (mid fall to late fall). Flowers and pendulous in a small, capitate raceme, with inflorescences often simple, but sometimes branched. This is a great landscape aloe as well as a good potted plant. Cold hardiness is not too impressive, however, with plants being damaged around 26f-27F. Fortunately flowers are usually early enough that they are unaffected by the rare cold snaps in southern California. Not sure of its sun hardiness in an Arizona-like climate.
- Aloe deltoideodonta 10-08 p11.jpg (206.93 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax on hanging pot 9-12.jpg (114.29 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax teeth.jpg (95.47 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax misidentified larb.jpg (185.21 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax floweirng front 11-12.jpg (211.93 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- aloe deltoideodonta flowering p11 9-08.jpg (127.4 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax flwoer again 10-08.jpg (76.37 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta flower closer 9-08.jpg (90.46 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax flowers 11-12 front.jpg (44.83 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta fallax flowers closer 11-12.jpg (70.17 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
There are three distinct varieties of Aloe deltoideodonta, with a few cultivar variations thrown in. Aloe deltoideodonta variety candicans is also frequently assigned to this plant, but it does NOT have lineated leaves (have yet to see a single aloe identified as Aloe deltoideodonta var. candicans in any botanical gardens or collections that were not incorrectly identified and actually were this plant). Below are examples of plants in a show that were incorrectly labeled as Aloe deltoideodonta var candicans, and in a botanical garden as such, as well.
- Aloe deltoidiodonta X candicans.jpg (98.02 KiB) Viewed 4337 times
- Aloe deltoideodonta variety candicans Hunt.jpg (224.96 KiB) Viewed 3307 times
