Aloe vandermerwei Reynolds (1950)

CULTIVATION: easy to grow. Aloe vandermerwei grows on the edge of the Aloe zebrina range in the eastern part of South Africa, in the Kruger National Park. It has a very distinct leaf shape, most forms of zebrina are broad-leaved, whereas 'vandermerwei' is narrow-leaved (3.5cm wide by 50-60cm long). It branches very strongly into clumps, growing in two opposite rows when young, then classically spreading out into a spiral shape. It is rather low, retaining the original characteristic of zebra finches - drying of leaves from the ends and curling of these dry leaves. The inflorescence is branched and also rather lower. The native habitat is dry, grassy steppe with varying levels of rainfall. Therefore, in nature photos, one can see green, watered and spreading plants as well as dry clumps of clasped tufts with colours rather red.

Aloe zebrina    Baker (1878)   

DESCRIPTION: stemless or with very short stem. Leaves 20-30, 15-35x6-8 cm, dark green with many spots. Brown tipped teeth 4-7 mm long, 8-15 mm apart. Inflorescence 75-200 cm wit up to 12 branches. Racemes cylindrical, flowers coral red.

Synonymy: Aloe ammophila Reynolds, Aloe angustifolia Groenew., nom. illeg., Aloe bamangwatensis Schönland, Aloe baumii Engl. et Gilg, Aloe constricta Baker, Aloe komatiensis Reynolds, Aloe laxissima, Aloe lettyae Reynolds, Aloe lugardiana Baker, Aloe platyphylla Baker, Aloe transvaalensis Kuntze, Aloe vandermerwei Reynolds

DISTRIBUTION: Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, RSA

CULTIVATION: Easy to grow. Easy hybridize (f.e. with A. littoralis , A. verecunda).