Aristaloe aristata

Aristaloe aristata, known colloquially as the guinea-fowl aloe or the lace aloe and previously botanically as Aloe aristata, used to be classified as a dwarf aloe, still looks much like one. Since being moved from Aloe, it resides in the monotypic genus, Aristaloe, meaning that the genus contains only the one species.

Another common name for the much noticed plant is serelei, meaning the slippery one, a Sesotho word from the region where the plant grows. It allows for speculation: If one inadvertently stepped on this extremely succulent leaf rosette hidden in the grass on the ground, slipping would be almost certain; a reasonable guess as to the etymology and testimony to many a fall.

A. aristata forms clumps of more than ten rosettes in favourable circumstances, although it remains “stemless” insofar as the rosettes remain on the ground and any short stems as there may be, invisible. All leaf surfaces are dark green with scattered white spots sometimes developed into small white mounds or tubercles.

The leaf margins have rows of little soft white teeth. Some leaves are keeled. The specific name, aristata, is derived from the eponymous Latin word meaning bristly or awned, referring to the lacy leaf margins.

Inflorescences comprise racemes of loosely pendulous, nectar rich, pink or red flowers.

A. aristata occurs naturally in a large inland distribution. This area comprises central South Africa from the Karoo, Eastern Cape, the entire Lesotho and adjacent areas of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

The habitat is ecologically diverse, including parts at elevations ranging from 200 m to 2200 m. The plants grow in semi-arid, karoid terrain in sandy soil to open rocky places and shaded riverine forests. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

This plant is a favourite with gardeners in diverse circumstances, as it is hardy, small and easy to grow. It also performs well in containers and indoor conditions. So, this one is not only for horticultural experts or people with much garden space, but brings joy to succulent aficionados of all gardening skill levels. Some sun will help to induce blooming (Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist; Wikipedia; http://redlist.sanbi.org).