Aloe pearsonii

Aloe pearsonii, commonly the Richtersveld aloe, is a multi-stemmed leaf succulent that branches from the base and slightly higher up as well. The plants grow slowly, sometimes reaching 1,3 m in height, while their erect stems often multiply to a width equal to the height.

The species distribution is severely range-restricted in the far northwest of the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, between Kuboes in the Richtersveld National Park and the mining town of Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia.

The habitat is arid succulent shrubland and desert. Dense branching of the plant allows for a bit of shade to be earned for some of its branches in turn, as well as over the roots. A few small plants unrelated to aloes may seek shelter under them as exposure to the sun can be testing on this land. Scattered stands of A. pearsonii in its stony slope habitat may dominate parts of the vegetation. Some bare patches are in view wherever one looks in this arid land, bigger shrubs being few. Succulent plants that store moisture for the frequent dry periods have head start or the only chance to grow again as soon as conditions permit. And climate change isn't helping. 

The species is critically endangered in habitat early in the twenty first century due to anthropogenic, manmade climate change (Frandsen, 2017; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).