Aloidendron barberae flowerbuds

It is hard to get a photo of Aloidendron barberae, the largest among the aloes, from this angle, looking down upon its emerging flowers. Thanks to the arrival of The Boomslang (tree snake), more formally The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway at Kirstenbosch, such pleasures are now possible for the many visitors that prefer to take their shots of nature here. Read both photos and healing as meanings of "shots" here.

The panicle of each fully developed inflorescence, usually shorter than 50 cm, may comprise up to three short erect racemes, seldom rising above the leaves of its rosette. In the photo, taken too early for capturing open blooms at their peak, a few single, cylindrical racemes of greenish yellow buds peek out among the leaves.

The open flowers will become apricot-orange to salmon pink in colour, but still green-tipped while brimming with clear, sweet nectar (Jeppe, 1969; Coates Palgrave, 2002; http://pza.sanbi.org).