Aloe elgonica (Mt. Elgon aloe)

Plants: Evergreen succulent shrubs are 3–4′ (91–121 cm) high, in clumps up to 6′ (1.8 m) around.

Leaves: Stems are tipped by rosettes of tightly spaced recurved leaves, with red-tipped teeth. Green leaves may be pink-tinged, entirely pink or dull red.

Flowers: Branched spikes of orange-red flowers are 1½–3′ (50–90 cm) high. Individual flowers are tubular, 1–2 ⨉ ¼″ (2.5–5 cm ⨉ 6.3 mm). Blooms from May to September.

Habitats: Native to rocky, grassy slopes of Mt. Elgon in Kenya, at elevations of 1.2–1.5 mi (2.0–2.4 km).

2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California · ≈ 3 × 2′ (101 × 70 cm)

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Asparagales	A diverse group that includes asparagus
Family	Xanthorrhoeaceae	Aloes, many tropical plants, flax lilies, daylilies, many others
Genus	Aloe	Means “goddess” in ancient Sanskrit, for its reputed use as a beauty aid; some sources suggest that the name comes from Alloeh, meaning “shining bitter substance”
Species	elgonica	For Mt. Elgon in Kenya, where it is found.

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Range: Zones 9b-11:

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