Aloe arborescens

Aloe arborescens is a large succulent branching much, forming broad and tall shrubs or trees of 2 m, sometimes 4 m both up and sideways (SA Tree List No. 28.1). The Latin word, arborescens, means tree-like.

Old leaves only persist for a limited period on the slender stems close to the stem-tip rosettes. Leaf length varies much, also the leaf curvature. The average length is about 55 cm. The many-leaved, whorled rosettes are often presented angled.

The about conical racemes bear scarlet flowers, although flower colours include pink, orange and yellow. Flowers are usually seen from late autumn to midwinter. The joyous reveller in picture was seen in June, planted long ago next to a country road through wheat fields near Caledon.

The species distribution is along the south coast from the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Lowveld, as well as in several neighbouring countries as far as Malawi.

The habitat is varied in montane areas on exposed ridges and krantzes, from sea level to 2000 m. The diverse adaptations in different conditions have given the plant several appearances, including of leaf colour and shape. Even the leaf margins aren’t always armed with the familiar rows of spines. 

Many gardens could benefit from planting a modest cutting donated by a neighbour whose garden is getting a bit full (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).