Kumara haemanthifolia leaves

The broadly strap-shaped leaves of Kumara haemanthifolia have rounded tips and pinkish margins, rough-edged or finely notched. The leaves are without spines or spots. The leaf surfaces may be bright green as commonly stated, but seasonal deviations occur as in the photo. Variations range from grey-green to orange here; dark green and purplish colours are also seen.

Some faint longitudinal striations are visible on the leaf blades; lower leaf parts may also be grooved. Leaf dimensions are about 20 cm by 8 cm. Leaves spread like an erect fan, the blades slightly apart as in a partly open book.

Suckering is common, resulting in dense clumps of up to twenty such fans on one plant.

The fan-shaped leaf configuration reminds of the leaves of K. plicatilis, a tree aloe, also with distichous or fan-like leaves, but smaller fans positioned at branch ends well above the ground.

The leaf sap of K. haemanthifolia is clear and watery. It does not solidify over time (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Reynolds, 1974; iSpot).