Aloe maculata - previously Aloe sapinaria

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Botanical Name

Aloe maculata - previously Aloe sapinaria

Family

Aloeaceae - The aloe family.

Pronunciation

AL-oh mak-yuh-LAH-tuh

Common Name(s)

Afrikaans: Bontaalwyn

IsiXhosa: ingcelwane; intelezi

Sesotho: Lekhala; Lekhala La Thaba

Plant Group

Succulent A plant having fleshy stems or leaves often adapted to dry conditions.

Plant Size

Medium

Tree 10m to 16m

Shrub 1m to 2m

Perennial/ground cover 40cm to 60cm

Bulb 40cm to 60cm

Succulent 40cm to 60cm

Position

Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Hardy The plant can withstand freezing temperatures or frost without artificial protection.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Aloe maculata is a stemless aloe, loosely classified as belonging to the group of spotted aloes. The leaves are broadly triangular, curve slightly backwards at the ends, are liberally spotted, have sharp brown teeth along the edges and are arranged in an open, flat rosette. Flowering times are very variable with various forms flowering in summer, winter or spring. This is a very pretty aloe when in flower, especially if one is not that attracted to the spiky form of most aloe flowers.

I have only come across the pink form but the pictures I have seen of the yellow and orange forms certainly make it worth while to try to get hold of them.

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Flowers

Description

a flat topped, loose cluster of lax tubular-shaped blooms on a branched stem

Season

Winter to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

pink
yellow
orange
red

Growth Rate

Moderate Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Bedding Plants, usually annuals, suitable for mass planting in beds for their quick colourful flowers or foliage and used to form a temporary display.
Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

from the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape Province, the eastern Free State, through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga to Zimbabwe, in rocky outcrops, thicket vegetation and grasslands

Planting Suggestions

Plant in well drained soil mixed with compost.

Watch out for snout beetle damage: http://kumbulanursery.co.za/blog/snout-beetle-damage-done-to-aloes

Medicinal Uses

It has been reported that sap from the leaves is used as a substitute for soap.

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Author: Lorraine Solomon