Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: bergaalwyn, mountain aloe, fynbos aloe

Family: Asphodelaceae

Distribution: Western Cape

Habitat: steep lower mountain slopes and cliffs

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Succulent plant

Comments: This range-restricted species favours steep sandstone slopes and cliff faces, where it precariously grows in the nutrient poor soil-pockets between boulders. Although some subpopulations have declined due to urbanisation, most occur higher up on slopes where urban expansion does not have an impact. It was the first SA aloe to be grown in Europe and botanists assumed it to be from the island of Socotra for many years, but it is in fact a Cape endemic. It is a distinctive component of south-western Cape flora and is only a few fynbos aloes. It is used for a variety of medicinal and cosmetic purposes.