Aloe castanea

[GreekDesert]

Aloe castanea

[Geoff]

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Aloe castanea in early flower.JPG (201.5 KiB) Viewed 6566 times

Aloe castanea, the Cat Tail Aloe, is a distinctive species once it flowers, but until then it is somewhat difficult to identify. This is a low-growing, branching tree aloe (or a large shrub aloe), topping out around 8 feet tall normally (usually shorter) and with several branches. Leaves are usually bluish-green and generally upright with a slight curve inward and sharp, hooked yellowish teeth with brown tips. Flowers are unbranched and usually extend laterally nearly parallel to the ground, though some forms have nearly upright flower stalks. The flowers themselves all align along the upside of the rachis/peduncle slanting outward away from the plant. These flowers are brownish yellow and often visibly loaded with dark nectar. This plant is not a always a reliable flowerer and tends to need full sun to flower well (too much shade and flowers often do not matieralize for years). It is a pretty hardy plant though taking a tiny bit more cold than the average South African aloe.

Above are Aloe casteneas in a botanical garden showing typical shrubby pattern and color

[Geoff]

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Aloe castanea flower in winter

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Aloe castanea in flower, Huntington Gardens

[Geoff]

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Close ups of typical laterally oriented Aloe castanea flowers

[Geoff]

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Some shots of more upright flowering versions of this species

[Geoff]

San Diego Botanical garden

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private garden in San Marcos, California

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younger plants

[GreekDesert]

Aloe castanea (?) cultivated in greece. Flower (not branched) is the same as you show.

[Geoff]

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Aloe castanea blooming 3-08.JPG (183.76 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

Aloe castanea full bloom 3-08.JPG (203.97 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

Aloe castanea flweor again 3-08.JPG (178.53 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

Aloe castanea with nectar shot 3-08.JPG (134.7 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

shots of my plant

[Geoff]

mass production, Rancho Soledad Nursery

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[Otter]

Cats are waggin their tails.

UC Berkeley Botanical, feb '16

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UCBBG, 2/16, full plant

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[Marc d w]

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