Aloe spectabilis
Aloe supralaevis var. hanburyi
Aloe marlothii A. Berger
Flat-flowered aloe, bergaalwyn, mountain aloe
Mountain aloe grows to 12–18′ (3.7–5.5 m) in height. It is a South African native.
Plants: This large perennial succulent aloe has a single stem, and is 6½–13′ (2–4 m) tall. A variant, Aloe spectabilis, is no longer considered a distinct species.
Leaves: Gray-green to bluish-green, up to 5′ ⨉ 10″ (1.5 m ⨉ 25 cm) in size, broader than those of many aloes and tapering to a sharp tip. Maroon-colored teeth with orange tips occur along the leaf margins, and the leaf surfaces have spines. As the plant matures, some leaf surface spines are lost, no longer needed for defense.
Flowers: 30 or even 50 racemes of brilliant flowers, varying from yellow to orange or bright red, are its standout feature. Many of the supporting branches are horizontal, hence the common name “flat-flowered aloe.”
Fruits: Dehiscent capsules containing seeds.
Habitats: Bushveld vegetation along mountainous areas, rocky terrain and slopes where temperatures are warmer and frost infrequent, at elevations below 5249′ (1.6 km).
Photo by Pamla J. Eisenberg, taken at the Huntington Library Desert Garden. 
Edibility: Poisonous. 
Some parts of this plant are toxic.
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Similar aloes. |
Online References:
Aloe ferox var. xanthostachys
Aloe spectabilis
Aloe supralaevis var. hanburyi
Aloe spectabilis
Aloe supralaevis var. hanburyi
5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona 
2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) ID is uncertain 
2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California 
2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California ID is uncertain 
| 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 | marlothii | For Rudolf Marloth, a German-born South African botanist |
Aloe marlothii description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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