Aloe excelsa |
Asphodelaceae
A. Burger
|
Aloe excelsa can be mistaken for its close relative Aloe rupestris, which does not have racemes that are sloping and the leaves are smaller. Aloe rupestris is also more common that Aloe excelsa.
The specie name 'excelsa' means 'lofty' or 'high' and it refers to the height of the plant.
Aloe excelsa has been granted tree status in South Africa and its national tree number is 28.8. |
| Common Names: |
'Zimbabwe-Aalwyn' or 'Zimbabwe Aloe'. |
| Status: |
Not threatened. |
| Distribution: |
Aloe excelsa is restricted to the north-western corner of Northern Province near the Limpopo river. It is quite widespread to the north in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. |
Description of Aloe excelsa: |
| Stem: |
Stems are single, up to 4 meters in height and covered with old dried leaves. |
| Leaves: |
Leaves are a dull-green to reddish-green colour, upper leaf surface is smooth while the lower leaf surface has some thorns present, especilly in juvenile plants. Leaf margins are armed with sharp reddish-brown teeth. |
Flower Description: |
| Inflorescence: |
Inflorescence is branched into 10 to 15 racemes, center racemes are erect while outer racemes are sloping. Racemes are short and cylindrical and denseley packed with flowers. |
| Flower: |
Flowers are dark-red to orange-red in colour, up to 340mm in length and tubular in shape. |
| Flowering Time: |
Flowering occurs in the winter/spring months of August and September. |
Cultivation of Aloe excelsa: |
| Light: |
Full sun. |
| Watering: |
Caeful watering especially in the winter months. |
| Frost Protection: |
Required. |
| Notes: |
Aloe excelsa makes an attractive addition to gardens that are frost free as Aloe excelsa does not tolerate frost at all.
Plants should be grown in areas where there is a well-draining soil which will help prevent rot.
Post your tips and ideas at the forum. |
| Reference: |
Guide to the Aloes of Southern Africa . |
Picture: Please contact me if you have images I can use. |
