ALO BREVIFOLIA - Take one- question re var. Solved

[Ernie]

I have rescued several plants from the dark corners under the bench. The picture below shows one of the plants. Mabe someone can mention which Var it is because I have had the plants so long I cannot remember and the label has long since gone.

I have another thats untidy but has several dozen offsets that are healthy and unmarked. I am going to split that plant.

If anyone in the UK wants one offset please private message me. It will only cost you the postage- plant for free. If you dont get a reply its because they have all gone!

BCSS members only please otherwise I could get swamped!

[attachment 2544 DSCN1895.JPG]

[Paul in Essex]

Is that perhaps not what goes for mitriformis here (which is probably x nobilis)? It is awfully green for a brevifolia - Or is it because it has been shaded? But also the leaves seem a little too angular. either way it is a nice plant, dark corner or no.

[Aloenut]

Paul,

I would agree. It looks like a hybrid.

Aloenut

[Ernie]

I e mailed the picture to someone who said its typical of Aloe Brevifolia that is a variable plant in nature. He doe not think its a hybrid and there are not many clones in cultivation.

Colin and David N perhaps you could comment.

[Ernie]

This is a large offset I took of the parent plant several years ago. Its been on the decking area for four weeks.

The colour seems to be the same as the other pictured above.

Any more thoughts on this plant please.I have checked my records and can trace the origin of the plants back to clone I obtained in 1972 from Mr Mike Birch who owns Arcadia Nurseries (Fushia specialist) Mike was a work colleague of mine and because he liked things to be spot on I suspect the name is correct. At one time he was a very active member of the BCSS and an authority on C&S.He had a vast collection before selling up to concentrate on commercial propogation of Fushias.
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[Paul in Essex]

[img]http://www.africaguide.com/images/library/flora/018.jpg[/img]

This picture shows Aloe brevifolia - image taken from an African flora website. There is a form with larger leaves, but it is always blue. Even grown in England, and under relatively low light conditions, it is usually blue - sometimes a litle greyer, perhaps, but never that bright green. To my knowledge there isn't a green form.

Your plant is a dead ringer for Aloe x nobilis.

[Ernie]

Hi Paul . I got a private message informing me that according to Reynolds my plant matches a description given for a variable plant in habitat.

Maybe Colin will comment on this one. Thanks for the interest.

[Ernie]

Just found this webb site thats shows a green form

www.sillouettesofthedesert.com/aloe_brev.

[Bill]

Correct link

http://www.silhouettesofthedesert.com/aloe_brev.html

and yes it's definitely green.

[Colin Walker]

Hi Ernie,

I agree with Paul and Frank - this doesn't look like true Aloe brevifolia to moi. A. brevifolia has glaucous green (i.e. blue-grey) covered leaves. I wouldn't like to speculate on what your plant actually is - sorry.