Aloe africana 5623
Author: Philip Miller (1691-1771)Family: Asphodelaceae Subfamily: Asphodeloideae Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Aloe
English name: African aloe
Zone: South Africa
Description
Aloe africana is restricted to the southeastern and southwestern part of South Africa, in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, and is particularly common near Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and the lower Gamtoos River. It is mainly confined to hills and flats, growing in thicket and renosterveld vegetation. It often grows in association with Aloe ferox, Aloe pluridens and Aloe speciosa and hybrids are not uncommon. The soil is sandy and well drained. The climate is moderate, without frost, and hot and humid during summers. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, from 600 to 700mm per annum. The specific epithet Africana pertains to its African origin.
Aloe africana Observed in South Africa by Adriaan Grobler (license)
Botanical Description
This is a caulescent plant, up to 4m high. The stem is up to 4m, single or rarely branched, erect, with persistent dried leaves.
The circa 30 leaves are densely rosulate, spreading to recurved, dull green to somewhat glaucous, without spots, upper surface glabrous or with few scattered reddish spines in upper third, lower surface with few reddish spines in median line near apex, up to 65cm long, 12cm wide at base. The margin is with pungent, reddish, deltoid teeth, 4-5mm long, circa 15mm apart.
The inflorescences are 0.6-0.8m high, erect, 2-4-branched. The racemes are cylindric, tapering to sharp point, 40-60cm long, dense. The floral bracts are circa 11mm long, 7-8mm wide. The pedicels are 5-6mm long. The perianth is dull red in bud, yellow-orange at maturity, up to 55mm long, enlarging towards markedly upcurved mouth, curved-cylindric. The outer tepals are free for circa 19mm. The stamens are exserted to 15mm. The style is exserted to 20mm.
The circa 30 leaves are densely rosulate, spreading to recurved, dull green to somewhat glaucous, without spots, upper surface glabrous or with few scattered reddish spines in upper third, lower surface with few reddish spines in median line near apex, up to 65cm long, 12cm wide at base. The margin is with pungent, reddish, deltoid teeth, 4-5mm long, circa 15mm apart.
The inflorescences are 0.6-0.8m high, erect, 2-4-branched. The racemes are cylindric, tapering to sharp point, 40-60cm long, dense. The floral bracts are circa 11mm long, 7-8mm wide. The pedicels are 5-6mm long. The perianth is dull red in bud, yellow-orange at maturity, up to 55mm long, enlarging towards markedly upcurved mouth, curved-cylindric. The outer tepals are free for circa 19mm. The stamens are exserted to 15mm. The style is exserted to 20mm.
Useful plant
Aloe africana, like most other aloes has tubular flowers rich in nectar and pollinated by sunbirds.
References
- Aloes, the definitive guide, S. Carter, J. J. Lavranos, L. E. Newton & C. C. Walker. 2011 pag. 672. ISBN
- Flora of Southern Africa, L.E. Codd, B. De Winter And H.B. Rycroft. Vol. 5(1) pag. 132-133. Address
- PlantZafrica, Ernst van Jaarsveld. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Aloe africana
- Reproductive co-existence among five sympatric single-stemmed aloes in the Gamtoos River Valley, Eastern Cape, Christo Botes. 2007. Address
- The genus Aloe L. in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Ronell R. Klopper & Gideon F. Smith. Haseltonia 2010 Vol. 16 pag. 16-53. DOI
- Trees of Southern Africa, Meg Coates Palgrave. 2002 pag. 105. ISBN
References
- Aloes, the definitive guide, S. Carter, J. J. Lavranos, L. E. Newton & C. C. Walker. 2011 pag. 672. ISBN
- Flora of Southern Africa, L.E. Codd, B. De Winter And H.B. Rycroft. Vol. 5(1) pag. 132-133. Address
- PlantZafrica, Ernst van Jaarsveld. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Aloe africana
- Reproductive co-existence among five sympatric single-stemmed aloes in the Gamtoos River Valley, Eastern Cape, Christo Botes. 2007. Address
- The genus Aloe L. in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Ronell R. Klopper & Gideon F. Smith. Haseltonia 2010 Vol. 16 pag. 16-53. DOI
- Trees of Southern Africa, Meg Coates Palgrave. 2002 pag. 105. ISBN
References for the genus
- A chemotaxonomic and morphological appraisal of Aloe series Purpurascentes, Aloe section Anguialoe and their hybrid, Aloe broomii, Viljoen, Alvaro M and van Wyk, Ben-Erik. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 2001 Vol. 29(6) pag. 621-631. Address
- A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of the genus Aloe L. In Madagascar, Rakotoarisoa, Solofo and Klopper, Ronell and Smith, Gideon. Bradleya 2014 Vol. 32 pag. 81-91. DOI
- A revised generic classification for Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae), Olwen M. Grace, Ronell R. Kopper, Gdeon F. Smith, Neil R. Crouch, Estrela Figueiredo, Nina Rønsted & Abraham E. Van Wyk. Phytotaxa 2013 Vol. 76 pag. 7-14. DOI
- A synoptic review of the Aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an ecologically diverse province in eastern South Africa, R.R Klopper, N.R. Crouch, G.F. Smith, A.E. van Wyk. PhytoKeys 2020 Vol. 142 pag. 1-88. DOI
- African aloe ecology: a review, Cousins, SR and Witkowski, ETF. Journal of Arid Environments 2012 Vol. 85 pag. 1-17. Address
- Allioni's Aloe names (Asphodelaceae): nomenclature and typification, L. Guglielmone, L. Gallo, M. Meregalli, G.F. Smith & E. Figueiredo. Bothalia 2009 Vol. 39(2) pag. 177-183. DOI
- Aloe in Angola (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), R.R. Klopper, S. Matos, E. Figueiredo & G.F. Smith. Bothalia 2009 Vol. 39(1) pag. 19-35. DOI
- Aloe nouveaux du nord de Madagascar, G. Cremers. Adansonia 1976 Vol. ser.2, 15(4) pag. 497-503. Address
- Aloes, the definitive guide, S. Carter, J. J. Lavranos, L. E. Newton & C. C. Walker. 2011. ISBN
- An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Taita Hills, Eastern Arc Mountain. PhytoKeys 2022 Vol. 191 pag. 1-158. Address
- Description of two new taxa in the genus Aloe (Asphodelaceae) from Madagascar, Jean-Philippe Castillon. CACTUS-AVENTURES International Vol. 81 pag. 11-19. Address
- Deux nouvelles espèces d' Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae, Asphodelaceae), section Lomatophyllum Rowley, de Madagascar, Castillon, Jean-Philippe. Adansonia 2017 Vol. 39 pag. 7-13. DOI
- Notes on the typification of some species of Aloe (Asphodelaceae/Aloaceae), Glen, HF and Smith, GF. Bothalia 1995 Vol. 25(1) pag. 37-42. Address
- Summer-flowering species of maculate Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in the Aloe zebrina-complex from South Africa: Reinstatement of four names, and description of A. braamvanwykii Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo, Smith, Gideon and Figueiredo, Estrela and Klopper, Ronell and Crouch, Neil. Bradleya 2012 Vol. 30 pag. 155-166. DOI
- The genera Aloe and Mesembryanthemum as represented in Thunberg's herbarium, Brown, Nicholas Edward. Bothalia 1922 Vol. 1(3) pag. 139-169. Address
- The genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in Malawi, R.R Klopper, S.S. Lane, G. Msekandiana-Mkwapatira & G.F. Smith. Bradleya 2012 Vol. 30 pag. 65-92. ResearchGate
- The genus Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) in Djibouti, N. Ruch, T. McCoy & O.M. Grace. Bradleya 2013 Vol. 31 pag. 15-24. ResearchGate
- Trees of Southern Africa, Meg Coates Palgrave. 2002 pag. 102-105. ISBN
- A preliminary assessment of the conservation status of the genus Aloe L. In Madagascar, Rakotoarisoa, Solofo and Klopper, Ronell and Smith, Gideon. Bradleya 2014 Vol. 32 pag. 81-91. DOI
- A revised generic classification for Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae), Olwen M. Grace, Ronell R. Kopper, Gdeon F. Smith, Neil R. Crouch, Estrela Figueiredo, Nina Rønsted & Abraham E. Van Wyk. Phytotaxa 2013 Vol. 76 pag. 7-14. DOI
- A synoptic review of the Aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an ecologically diverse province in eastern South Africa, R.R Klopper, N.R. Crouch, G.F. Smith, A.E. van Wyk. PhytoKeys 2020 Vol. 142 pag. 1-88. DOI
- African aloe ecology: a review, Cousins, SR and Witkowski, ETF. Journal of Arid Environments 2012 Vol. 85 pag. 1-17. Address
- Allioni's Aloe names (Asphodelaceae): nomenclature and typification, L. Guglielmone, L. Gallo, M. Meregalli, G.F. Smith & E. Figueiredo. Bothalia 2009 Vol. 39(2) pag. 177-183. DOI
- Aloe in Angola (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), R.R. Klopper, S. Matos, E. Figueiredo & G.F. Smith. Bothalia 2009 Vol. 39(1) pag. 19-35. DOI
- Aloe nouveaux du nord de Madagascar, G. Cremers. Adansonia 1976 Vol. ser.2, 15(4) pag. 497-503. Address
- Aloes, the definitive guide, S. Carter, J. J. Lavranos, L. E. Newton & C. C. Walker. 2011. ISBN
- An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Taita Hills, Eastern Arc Mountain. PhytoKeys 2022 Vol. 191 pag. 1-158. Address
- Description of two new taxa in the genus Aloe (Asphodelaceae) from Madagascar, Jean-Philippe Castillon. CACTUS-AVENTURES International Vol. 81 pag. 11-19. Address
- Deux nouvelles espèces d' Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae, Asphodelaceae), section Lomatophyllum Rowley, de Madagascar, Castillon, Jean-Philippe. Adansonia 2017 Vol. 39 pag. 7-13. DOI
- Notes on the typification of some species of Aloe (Asphodelaceae/Aloaceae), Glen, HF and Smith, GF. Bothalia 1995 Vol. 25(1) pag. 37-42. Address
- Summer-flowering species of maculate Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in the Aloe zebrina-complex from South Africa: Reinstatement of four names, and description of A. braamvanwykii Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo, Smith, Gideon and Figueiredo, Estrela and Klopper, Ronell and Crouch, Neil. Bradleya 2012 Vol. 30 pag. 155-166. DOI
- The genera Aloe and Mesembryanthemum as represented in Thunberg's herbarium, Brown, Nicholas Edward. Bothalia 1922 Vol. 1(3) pag. 139-169. Address
- The genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in Malawi, R.R Klopper, S.S. Lane, G. Msekandiana-Mkwapatira & G.F. Smith. Bradleya 2012 Vol. 30 pag. 65-92. ResearchGate
- The genus Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) in Djibouti, N. Ruch, T. McCoy & O.M. Grace. Bradleya 2013 Vol. 31 pag. 15-24. ResearchGate
- Trees of Southern Africa, Meg Coates Palgrave. 2002 pag. 102-105. ISBN
General specifications
Biological type: succulent
Frost resistance: 27ºF
Leaf color: green gray
Flower color: yellow
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 13,1ft x 4,9ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: aloe
Flowering time from January until March
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 3x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Succulents; tray, 1L container, 2L forestry pot, 6L container, 55L container
Propagation is done by root division
Units in the garden: 2x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-700mm
Sandy soil: much
Draining soil: much
Frost resistance: 27ºF
Leaf color: green gray
Flower color: yellow
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 13,1ft x 4,9ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: aloe
Flowering time from January until March
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 3x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Succulents; tray, 1L container, 2L forestry pot, 6L container, 55L container
Propagation is done by root division
Units in the garden: 2x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-700mm
Sandy soil: much
Draining soil: much
Sowing instructions
SPRING Sow the seeds at 2mm depth in the Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 64-72°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight. The seeds germinate in 4-16 weeks.
Germination references
- PlantZafrica, Ernst van Jaarsveld. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Aloe africana
- Seed dynamics and seedling survival in mainland thicket of the Eastern Cape, Weatherall-Thomas, Clayton Richard. 2009. Address
- The viability of seed supplied to Botanical Society members by the National Botanic Gardens, Eloff, JN and Liede, S. Veld & Flora 1987 Vol. 73(1) pag. 2. Address
Germination references
- PlantZafrica, Ernst van Jaarsveld. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Aloe africana
- Seed dynamics and seedling survival in mainland thicket of the Eastern Cape, Weatherall-Thomas, Clayton Richard. 2009. Address
- The viability of seed supplied to Botanical Society members by the National Botanic Gardens, Eloff, JN and Liede, S. Veld & Flora 1987 Vol. 73(1) pag. 2. Address
Experiences in the garden
15-09-16A Obtaining seeds from seed provider Exotic Plants.
15-09-16 Send a batch to nursery Issa.
24-10-18A Obtaining 2 plants from nursery Issa, they are planted in zone(s) PlatBAizo
11-04-22 1x Dead plant: No information: PlatBAizo.
27-09-19B Obtaining seeds from seed provider Sandeman.
07-11-19 Sown seeds in a tray, they did not geminate in Serre4.
Protocol: Autumn 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 59-68°F Damp substrate+Light 4-16w
13-05-20C Obtaining 4 plants from nursery Issa, they are in our nursery Serre4 3x C6 and planted in zone(s) PlatBAizo
23-07-20D Obtaining seeds from seed provider Rare Palm Seeds.
11-03-21 Sown 20 seeds in a tray, they did not geminate in Serre4.
Protocol: Spring 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 59-68°F Damp substrate+Light 4-16w
02-06-21 Sown 80 seeds in a tray, they did not geminate in Serre4.
Protocol: Spring 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 4-16w
06-08-21E Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill collected in 'SilverHill15>Transkei'. (Wild origin)
10-05-22 Sown 20 seeds in a tray, they did not geminate in Serre4.
Protocol: Spring 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 4w