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Aloe acutissima var. antanimorensis (Dwarf Blue Aloe) - A rapid growing groundcover aloe 1 to 2 feet tall with 2 foot long arching stems holding 6 to 10 inch wide open rosettes of narrow pale blue-green recurved leaves that have hints of pink-purple and red and margins bearing red-brown teeth - stress, both drought and cold, seems to bring out the most interesting colors. Like the species, Aloe acutissima whicjh we aso grow, the growth spreads out from the center and with time can form a pretty dense groundcover. The red-orange flowers, appearing in winter, are on unbranched thin spikes that only rise vertically about a foot above the foliage.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil. Requires little irrigation and colors up better when kept dry. This plant will likely be hardy to 25° to 30°F but we have not experienced temperatures below 32°F since first growing this plant. An attractive aloe with interesting foliage colors and winter flowers that does well in the ground or in larger pots.
This plant grows northwest of Antanimora in the Toliara province near the south west coast of Madagascar to Fianarantsoa closer to the center of the island, where it grows on flat rock surfaces among thorn bushes. The specific epithet, combines the Latin words 'acuti' meaning "pointed", "acute" or "sharp" with 'issima', a suffix connoting the extreme form of an adjective so that the name means "very acutely pointed" or "very sharp" in reference to the sharp triangular teeth on the leaf margins and the varietal name references the locality where this plant comes from. Our plants from an Institute of Aloe Studies distribution in 2012 as IAS05-008c.
This information about Aloe acutissima var. antanimorensis displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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