Aloe speciosa

Aloe speciosa, commonly the tilt-head aloe and in Afrikaans the slaphoringaalwyn (limp horn aloe), is a tall, erect plant reaching heights from 3 m to 6 m (SA Tree List No. 30.5). It grows a tilted or partly sideways head on a single or less often, multiple stems branched at the base or higher up. The upper stem part below the rosette is mostly covered in a layer of old, dry leaves. 

Outstanding characteristics of this aloe are the elegantly shaped and slender, blue-green leaves, the tilt of the rosette, often to the north and the unusual inflorescence. Full sun tints the leaves reddish purple as in picture, particularly towards their "writhing" tips. The Latin word, speciosus, means showy or beautiful, yielding an apt specific name.

The raceme is conical, comprising pinkish red buds that turn creamy white upon opening. This is when the dark stamens add colour contrast as they become notably exserted. There are usually green lines along the length of each open perianth. Blooming occurs at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The species distribution lies in a broad coastal swathe from the east of the Western Cape around Swellendam to the west of the Eastern Cape, as far as the Kei River.

The habitat includes fynbos and Albany thicket as well as riverine bush. On open land the plants reach about half the height achieved in the bush. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

A. speciosa is grown successfully from seed in many of the warmer areas. A popular garden plant, this is a frost sensitive but drought resistant aloe, growing well in various soil types and preferring sun (Frandsen, 2017; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).