Aloe microstigma

Aloe microstigma, in Afrikaans commonly called the Karoo aalwyn (Karoo aloe), is one of the speckled aloes of the drier parts of South Africa. The plants are often stemless, in some regions commonly growing a single stem, sometimes longer than 50 cm, but branched and procumbent stems are also seen.

The inflorescence of Aloe microstigma is an unbranched, narrow, oblong to conical raceme of up to 1 m. Two or three racemes may grow simultaneously on mature plants in good condition. The buds are red or orange, remaining orange or turning yellow upon opening, as in the plant in picture. The bicolour form is more prevalent.

The bud tips are initially bluish-grey. The bracts at the base of the individual flower pedicels (stalks) are small, usually not covering the perianths even in bud. The individual flowers or perianths bulge near the centre.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape from the Cederberg to the Little Karoo, the Eastern Cape as far east as Makhanda and in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape; also in the south of Namibia.

The habitat is varied, including semi-arid shrubland, succulent Karoo and thicket. The species is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century. 

This aloe responds well to cultivation, provided that the soil is well-drained and the plants are protected from excessive cold (Frandsen, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Reynolds, 1974; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).