Asphodelaceae

Aloe maculata

Common Names: Soap Aloe

Plant Form: Erect succulent herb. Size: Up to 1.2 m tall. Stem: Usually without stems except for flower stalk. Leaves: Fleshy pale to dark green, with blotchy patterning. Lance to ovalish, with brown toothed edges and pointed ends. Flowers: Large clusters of bright orange, yellow or reddish tubular flowers on the end of long upright stalks. Fruit and Seeds: Reddish-brown capsules 2-3 cm long contaiing small blackish brown seeds with membrane-like wings. Habitat: Hillsides, waste areas, railways, roadsides, old gardens, gullies, coastal scrub. Distinguishing Features: Difficult to distinguish from other Aloes (Aloe species) which also have blotchy leaf patterning, including numerous ornamental hybrids.