Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Katstert-aalwyn, Cat's tail aloe

Family: Asphodelaceae

Distribution: Limpopo, Mpumalanga

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Succulent plant

Comments: Flowering a “chestnut brown” as its Latin name indicates, this tree-like aloe shows these colours off in winter and seeds are dispersed via wind in spring. It develops large, deep root systems to support its top-heavy crown of leaves. Traditionally, burnt leaves from this species were used as a grain preservative.