Description and Cultivation Speckled Aloes

Succulent Plant Site | Aloes of the World | Stemless Aloes

Speckled Aloes
Aloes in this group are closely related and they share distinct characteristics as well as having a western distribution, which is in the Northern and Western Cape of South Africa.
	The growth form is variable but the Aloes all have stems, stems may be single or multi-stemmed. The leaves of the speckled aloes group have marks or spots on both the lower and upper surfaces of the leaves. Another distinct charactristic is the colour of the leaves which turn a reddish-brown colour even though the plants are not stressed due to a lack of water. Flowers are tubular in shape and their bases are not inflated. Left: Aloe framessii photographed in habitat at the Kleinzee Reserve.
Species in the Speckled Aloe Group * Good for the Garden Aloe framesii - The plant was named after Percy Ross Frames who first collected it to the north of Port Nolloth. The Afrikaans common name is 'Bitteraalwyn' which means 'Bitter Aloe' when translated. Aloe framesii is not suited for general gardens. Aloe gariepensis - The specie named 'gariepensis' which refers to its distribution area by the Gariep River which also known as the Orange River. Aloe gariepensis does not thrive in general cultivtion. Aloe khamiesensis - The specie name 'khamiesensis' refers to the Aloes distribution in the Khamiesberge and Khamieskrron area. Due to the erect stem Aloe khamiesensis has been allocated a tree number, 29.3. Common names include Tweederly, Aloeboom (Aloe Tree) and Wilde-aalwyn (Wild Aloe). Aloe khamiesensis does not do well in cultivation. Aloe microstigma * - Microstigma means 'very small spot' refers to the numerous tiny spots that is found on the leaf surfaces. Aloe microstigma does well in cultivation as long as it is in a sheltred position. Aloe pictifolio * - The specie name 'pictifolio' means 'painted leaves' and refers to the numerous small white dots on the leaves. Aloe pictifolio is easy to cultivate and the speckled leaves will make an attractive display. Aloes of Southern Africa I use the book "Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa" by Ben-Erik van Wyk & Gideon Smith as a reference quite often. If you are a Aloe enthusiast and you don't have this book I highly recommend it.