Aloidendron barberae

Aloidendron barberae (Aloe barberae)

Family: Asphodelaceae

Common names: tree aloe, boomaalwyn, mikaalwyn.

It is a striking sculptural tree aloe bearing a rounded, neat crown. It forms an excellent focal point in the garden. It is easily distinguished by its grey, smooth bark, green recurved leaves and salmon pink flowers in winter. It is a large aloe reaching up to 15 m in height and 0.9 m in stem diameter. The branching is forked or dichotomous and eventually forms a spreading, rounded crown. The leaves are arranged in a dense rosette, they are long, narrow, deeply channelled and curved. The leaf surface is dark green with a toothed margin. The inflorescence is simple or divided into three side branches. The racemes are cylindrical and its tubular flowers are salmon pink, green-tipped in bud, and appear in early to midwinter.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: January 2025