Aloe aculeata |
Asphodelaceae
Pole Evans |
Aloe aculeata is easily identified from other similiar species by the conspicuous tuberculate spines on the leaves. Aloe peglerae can be mistaken for Aloe aculeata when not in flower, the presence of thorns on both leaf surface is a characteristic unique to Aloe peglerae.
Aloe aculeata has been featured in a now discontinued nickle 10 cent coin.
The specie name 'aculeata' refers to the tuberculate spines on the leaves. |
| Common Names: |
Ngopanie, Sekope |
| Status: |
Not threatened. |
| Distribution: |
Aloe aculeata can be found in several areas in the Northern Province and in the extreme northern parts of Mpumalanga and it extends into Zimbabwe. Aloe aculeata is found in rocky areas in grassland and openbushveld. |
| Description of Aloe : |
| Stem: |
A single rosette up to 1 meter high and wide is formed. |
| Leaves: |
Leaves are long and quite broad at the base, 120mm wide, and are dull-green in colour. The leaves are curved inward which gives the rosette the rounded appearance. The leaf-margin is armed with reddish-brown triangular teeth. A distinctive feature on the leaf surfaces is the presence of numerous thorns. In some species the thorn is a different colour to the surrounding tissue which give the plant a mottled appearance. |
Flower Description : |
| Inflorescence: |
In young plants the infloresence is single, as the plant matures the inflorescence may split into three or four branches. Each raceme is long and narrow and gradually tapers to the tip. |
| Flower: |
Flowers are tubular in shape, 40mm in length, vary in colour from yellow to reddish-orange. Some specimens are uniform in volour while others bicoloured (yellow during bud stage and yellow when flowering). |
| Flowering Time: |
Flowers from May to July. |
Cultivation of Aloe aculeata: |
| Light: |
Light shade to full sun. |
| Watering: |
Careful watering. |
| Frost Protection: |
Yes. |
| Notes: |
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Picture: . |
