Aloe striatula |
Asphodelaceae |
Aloe striatula is closely related to Aloe commixta but it is easily dsistinguished from it by it's recurved leaves, more distinctly cone-shaped racemes that is more densely packed with flowers. Flowers are also slightly curved.
There is only one recognised variety, Aloe striatula var. caesia which has shorter straighter flowers and leaves that are more closely paxked and a greyish-green colour.
The specie name 'striatula' means 'striations' and it refers to the thin, green, parallel lines that are present on the leaf sheaths. |
| Common Names: |
- |
| Status: |
Not threatened. |
| Distribution: |
Plants cen be found to the west of Graaf-Reinet in the Karoo to Queentown and Lady Grey in the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. |
Description of Aloe striatula: |
| Stem: |
Aloe striatula is quite a robust rambling Aloe that forms a shrub that can be up to 2 meters in height and several meters wide. Stems are 20mm in diameter. |
| Leaves: |
Leaves are dark-green colour and they are recurved, leafs surfaces are deeply channeled and the leaf surfaces are smooth, leaf margines are armed with numerous small white teeth, leaf sheaths are distinctly marked with thin, green lines that run parallel to one another. Some forms have leaves that die back leaving shrivelled black leaves. |
Flower Description : |
| Inflorescence: |
Simple inflorescence that can be up to 400mm in height, racwemes are cone-shaped. |
| Flower: |
Buds are a yellowish-orange colour, flowers are yellowish in colour and they are slightly curved. |
| Flowering Time: |
Flowering occurs throughout the summer months of November to January. |
Cultivation of Aloe striatula: |
| Light: |
Full sun. |
| Watering: |
Careful watering especially in the winter months. |
| Frost Protection: |
Will tolerate much colder temperatures than other Aloes. |
| Notes: |
Aloe striatula is grown mainly for it's foliage, with time large multistemmed bushes are formed.
Grow plants in beds or areas with good drainage and it should thrive.
Post your tips and ideas at the forum. |
| References: |
Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa . |
Picture: Please contact me if you have images I can use. |
