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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (Aloes) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow & Orange |
| Bloomtime: Winter |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Aloe petricola (Stone Aloe) - A stemless solitary or sparsely-clustering aloe that grows 18 to 24 inches tall by 2 to 3 feet wide with broad-based narrow-tipped long blue-gray leaves that curve up and then inwards, giving the plant a ball-like rounded form. The leaves have occasional very small teeth on the upper leaf surface with usually more on the lower and sharp brown teeth along the margins. In mid to late winter appear the distinctly bicolored flowers, which are reddish orange in bud, opening to cream to pale yellow with faint green striped petals and dark brownish anthers, all densely stacked on the stems and opening from bottom to the top. On younger plants the flowers are on a tall simple unbranched inflorescence but are typically on multiple-branched inflorescences on older plants. Plant in full to part sun in a well-drained soil and water occasionally to infrequently - quite drought tolerant. Hardy to at least 25 °F. This plant has a fairly restricted distribution between 1,600 to 3,300 feet elevation where it is found in large colonies on rocky slopes and outcrops near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga (previously Eastern Transvaal) in South Africa. The plant was first described in 1917 by South African botanist Dr Illtyd B. Pole-Evans (1877–1968). The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'petra' meaning "rock" and 'cola' meaning "inhabiting" in reference to this plant inhabiting rocky places. Our plants from Jim Rose of Cal-Orchid, who grew it from seed obtained in South Africa.
This description of this plant is based on our research and our observations of it growing at the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Aloe petricola .
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