Aloe africana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aloe africana
Scientific classification

Aloe africana, also called the Uitenhage aloe, is a cool plant. It's a type of aloe that grows like a small tree. You can find it naturally in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

About the Uitenhage Aloe

Look closely at the tall flower stalk, showing the unique bent flowers.

The leaves often look a bit messy, spreading out and curving back.

This aloe grows slowly. It starts to flower when it is about four or five years old. In South Africa, it blooms from winter to early spring. This means you can see its flowers from July to September.

What Does it Look Like?

The Uitenhage aloe has a large flower stalk, called a raceme. This stalk stands straight up. It might be a single stalk, or it can have up to four branches. The flowers are shaped like tubes and are usually orange or yellow.

A special thing about these flowers is how they bend. Each small flower points upwards with a clear bend. This bend is very helpful! Sometimes, this aloe looks a lot like other aloes, such as Aloe excelsa or Aloe ferox. But if you see the bent flowers, you know it's an Aloe africana.

Its Leaves

The leaves of this aloe are thin and narrow. They often look a bit messy. This is different from other tree-like aloes, which have very neat, even leaves. The leaves also curve backwards.

They grow in a thick cluster at the top of the plant. They are firm and grayish-green. The edges of the leaves and their undersides have small, reddish teeth. This is a common feature in many aloe plants.

So, to tell this aloe apart, look for these things:

• Yellow-orange flowers that bend almost 90 degrees.
• Large, tall flower stalks that get narrower at the top.
• Narrow leaves that spread out or curve back.
• Leaves that are arranged in a somewhat untidy cluster.

Where it Grows

This interesting plant lives in the Eastern Cape part of South Africa. It is found mostly around the cities of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage.

Its Home

You will mostly find Aloe africana on hills and flat areas. It grows in places with thick bushes or a type of grassland called renosterveld. But it's a tough plant! It can grow in many different conditions.

It often grows near other aloe species, like Aloe ferox or Aloe speciosa. Sometimes, these different aloes even mix and create new hybrid plants. The weather where it grows is mild, meaning it doesn't get frost. Summers are hot and humid. It rains throughout the year, usually about 600 to 700 millimeters of rain annually.

See also

In Spanish: Aloe africana para niños

• Aloe
• Asphodeloideae
• Succulent plants