Aloe is a genus containing over 560 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or “true aloe”. It is called this because it is cultivated as the standard source for assorted pharmaceutical purposes. Aloe plants are tropical and originally from southern Africa. Their flower clusters are tubular-shaped and come in many colors.
In my backyard, I have lots of Aloe plants. I have a few Aloe Vera plants which stay small and do not flower, and another type with nasty thorns. I have not identified which thorny species I have, but it blooms every July. Their flowers are a lighter color than the deep orange or orange-red of most aloe flowers. It is more a coral with a showing of blue-green on the tubular flower. (A visitor using an app has identified it as Aloe Maculata.)
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