Aloe littoralis |
Asphodelaceae
Baker
(Aloe rubrolutea, Aloe schinzii)
|
Aloe littoralis is quite a variable species but it can be identified by it's height and that it is single-stemmed. The leaf surfaces are also marked with white spots and th flowers are a distinct silvery pink colour.
The specie name of littoralis' means 'growing on the sea shore' and refers to the original habitat where it was found in Angola.
Aloe littoralis has been granted tree status and it's national tree number is 29.4. |
| Common Names: |
Mopanie-aalwyn, Mopane Aloe, Bergaalwyn |
| Status: |
Not threated. |
| Distribution: |
Found in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It is onl found to the north of South Africa in the Northern Province. |
Description of Aloe littoralis: |
| Stem: |
Stems are solitary and can reach a height of up to 3 meters. |
| Leaves: |
Leaves are a greyish-green colour, 600mm in length and 120mm wide, leaf surfaces are marked with numerous white spots, the lower leaf surface more so. Leaf margins are armed with numerous teeth that are brown to reddish-brown in colour. |
Flower Description: |
| Inflorescence: |
Complex raceme that can be branched into ten racemes which are narrow and sparsely flowered. |
| Flower: |
Flowers have a silvery sheen caused by a waxy layer, an interesting feature is that the flowers bedcome yellow near the mouth of the flower when they open. |
| Flowering Time: |
Plants flower during February and March. |
Cultivation of Aloe littoralis: |
| Light: |
Full sun. |
| Watering: |
Careful watering, drought resistent. |
| Frost Protection: |
Frost protection required. |
| Notes: |
Grow Aloe littoralis is best grown in a well-draing area, which will help prevent diseases such as 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. |
