Aloidendron barberae

Aloidendron barberae, formerly Aloe bainesii and Aloe barberae, also known as the tree aloe, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloidendron. It is native to South Africa northwards to Mozambique. In its native climes this slow-growing tree can reach up to 60 feet (18 m) high and 36 inches (0.91 m) in stem diameter. Aloidendron barberae is Africa's largest aloe-like plant. The tree aloe is often used as an ornamental plant. Its tubular flowers are rose pink (green-tipped); it flowers in winter and in its natural environment is pollinated by sunbirds.[2]

Tree aloe
This specimen is about 3 m high (note the bench at the base of the plant).
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloidendron
Species:
A. barberae
Binomial name
Aloidendron barberae
(Dyer) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.[1]

Taxonomy

Aloidendron barberae was first collected and submitted for classification by Mary Elizabeth Barber, who was a plant collector in the former Transkei. She sent specimens of the plant and its flowers to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where in 1874 it was named by William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843–1928) in her honor. Subsequently, it was also found in KwaZulu-Natal by the well known traveller, explorer and painter Thomas Baines in 1873. He also sent a specimen to Kew, where it was named Aloe bainesii.[3] Although known as A. bainseii for many years, Aloe barberae was the name first given to this plant, and takes precedence according to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature,[2] and so is the epithet used in the combination Aloidendron barberae.[4]

Distribution

The tree aloe's habitat is subtropical coastal forests, kloofs (ravines) and dry valleys in the eastern regions of southern Africa. Aloidendron barberae is widely distributed from the Eastern Cape through the former Transkei, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mpumalanga; and northwards to Mozambique and East Africa.[2]

Cultivation

Aloidendron barberae forms a striking focal point in the garden, being an enormous sculptural tree with a neat crown.

It is easily propagated, especially by cuttings (truncheons) which should be left to dry for a week or two before planting. It prefers well-drained soil, especially on a slope, and can tolerate some shade when small. It should not be planted in between buildings or in spots where its roots will be constrained, as its trunk and roots need to expand and spread.

Hybrids and cultivars

Several hybrid varieties have been created between this species and its relative Aloidendron dichotomum (the quiver tree) and, more rarely, with Aloe species. These all tend to be more short and compact than pure A. barberae. Some of the more popular hybrids include:

  • 'Hercules' (A. barberae × dichotoma), the most common hybrid, with golden-grey trunk, and compact grey leaves.
  • 'Rex' (A. barberae × dichotoma), a fast-growing cultivar developed in Swellendam, which has a grey trunk, and more slender grey-green leaves with pink teeth. Seed parent is dichotoma.
  • 'Goliath' (A. barberae × Aloe vaombe), a very fast-growing top-heavy hybrid, with a slender trunk and an enormous head of massive rubbery dark-green leaves.
  • 'Nick Deinhart' (A. barberae × Aloe speciosa), a new hybrid using A. barberae pollen, with glaucous blue foliage.
  • 'Medusa', this is often considered a cultivar, but is in fact the natural Mozambican form of A. barberae.

Pictures
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References
  1. "Aloidendron barberae", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2017-10-15
  2. Aloe barberae by Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
  3. Smith, G. F.; van Wyk, B. E.; Glen, H. F. (1994). "Asphodelaceae/Aloaceae: Aloe Barberae to Replace A. Bainesii". Bothalia. 24 (1): 34–35.
  4. Grace, Olwen M.; Klopper, Ronell R.; Smith, Gideon F.; Crouch, Neil R.; Figueiredo, Estrela; Rønsted, Nina; Van Wyk, Abraham E. (2013). "A revised generic classification for Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae)". Phytotaxa. 76 (1): 7. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.76.1.2. ISSN 1179-3163.

Further reading
  • Van Jaarsveld, Ernst J.; Judd, Eric (2015). Tree aloes of Africa. Cape Town. ISBN 9780620641265. OCLC 940519207.
  • Carter, Susan (2011). Aloes : the definitive guide. British Cactus and Succulent Society. Richmond, Surrey, UK: Kew Pub. ISBN 9781842464397. OCLC 670480354.
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