Friday, 18 September 2015

FRIDAY GREENS #38 - ALOE POLYPHYLLA

Aloe polyphylla (spiral aloe, kroonaalwyn, lekhala kharetsa) is a species in the genus Aloe and family Xanthorrhoeaceae that is endemic to the Kingdom of Lesotho in the Drakensberg mountains. It is well known for its strikingly symmetrical, five-pointed spiral growth habit.

Aloe polyphylla is a stemless aloe and grows its leaves in a very distinctive spiral shape. The plants do not seem to sucker or produce off-shoots, but from the germination of their seeds they can form small, dense clumps. The fat, wide, serrated, gray-green leaves have sharp, dark leaf-tips. This aloe flowers at the beginning of summer, producing red-to-pink flowers at the head of robust, branched inflorescences.

The species is highly sought after as an ornamental but is difficult to cultivate and usually soon dies if removed from its natural habitat. In South Africa, buying or collecting the plant is a criminal offence.

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6 comments:

  1. Great shot with a beautiful helix

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  2. Love the pattern of the cactus leaves in your first image! Happy weekend.

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  3. An intriguing plant. and so love the design.

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  4. Aloe is good for the hair.
    What is the reason behind why in South Africa aloe is not allowed?

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