Aloidendron barberae (Dyer) Klopper & Gideon F. Sm. – Tree Aloe

Aloidendron barberae (Dyer) Klopper & Gideon F. Sm., formerly known as Aloe bainesii Dyer, is a large tree-forming succulent of the family Asphodelaceae. The species is naturally distributed in eastern and southern Africa, where it occurs on slopes and along the margins of dry deciduous or evergreen forests in subtropical regions.

The stem of Aloidendron barberae is large, woody, upright, and relatively round in cross section. Under natural conditions, the species grows monopodially from terminal buds, but when damaged, lateral buds may also develop. Tree aloe reaches 9–10 m in height, with the basal stem gradually enlarging to form a massive trunk. The branches end in rosettes of 30–60 cm long, sword-shaped, fleshy leaves, slightly recurved downward, dark green in color, and armed with small marginal teeth. Flower buds form mainly on short branchlets or at the tips of elongated branches in older plants. They develop into inflorescences composed of numerous tubular, actinomorphic, bisexual flowers, most commonly in pink or pink-orange tones. Flowering occurs in late winter. The fruit is a dry capsule that splits open when mature, releasing light, winged seeds dispersed by wind. Vegetative propagation is more successful—through dormant or adventitious buds and the formation of basal shoots after injury.

Tree aloe prefers full sun or light partial shade and requires well-drained soil. In heavy and waterlogged soils, especially in shaded locations, dark leaf spots may appear. The species has moderate drought tolerance and withstands brief drops in temperature to about –3 °C.
With age, the basal stem becomes very broad and heavy, which means the plant must be given sufficient space for future expansion. It is suitable for large gardens, xerophytic plantings, and spacious containers. In the past, the species was described under the name Aloe bainesii, but it is now classified in the genus Aloidendron, which comprises the tree aloes due to their distinct structure and morphological characteristics.

A specimen of this species, exceeding 3 meters in height, can be seen in the Exhibition Greenhouse of the University Botanical Garden – Balchik. In the coming weeks, many other species from the genus Aloe will also be in bloom there.