Aloe petricola |
Asphodelaceae |
Aloe petricola may be mistaken for Aloe aculeata but Aloe aculeata is distinguished by the numerous tuberculate thorns on the lower surface of the leaves.
Aloe petricola received its specie name from the habitat it prefers, 'petricola, means 'inhabitant of rocky places'. |
| Common Names: |
- |
| Status: |
Not threatened. |
| Distribution: |
Aloe petricola has a small distribution area near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. It is often found in shallow soil on sandstone slopes and granite outcrops. |
| Description of Aloe petricola: |
| Stem: |
Solitary, dense rosettes form on very short or absent stems. |
| Leaves: |
Leaves are greyish green in colour, long and broad at the base tapering to a tip. Upper parts are curved to give the rosette a rounded apperance. Thorns are present on the upper and lower leaf surfaces, leaf margins are armed with sharp brown triangular teeth that are 5mm in length. |
Flower Description : |
| Inflorescence: |
Inflorescences are simple in juvenile plants but up to six branched on a mature speciemen. Bicoloured racemes are long, narrow and densely flowered. |
| Flower: |
Flowers are tubular in shape and a little wider in the middle, flowers are 30mm in length. The bicoloured form has buds that are orange to red which change to a greenish-white or yellow colour when the flower opens. |
| Flowering Time: |
Flowering occurs throughout July to August. |
Cultivation of petricola: |
| Light: |
Full sun. |
| Watering: |
Careful watering. |
| Frost Protection: |
Required. |
| Notes: |
An easy specie to grow in the garden, Bicolored racemes are a spectacular feature. |
Picture: Please contact me if you have images I can use. |
