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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Coral |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [Aloe mitriformis, A. perfoliata] |
| Height: Prostrate |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Aloe distans (Jeweled Aloe, Golden Tooth Aloe) A sprawling aloe that crawls along the ground or climbs up over rocks or other obstacles with long trailing stems bearing blue-green leaves tipped with a tight rosette of these leaves, which are about 5 inches in diameter, and have golden spines on the margins. The plants suckers along its stems so that the many outwardly-moving heads radiate many feet out from the center. The largest we have seen was about 10 feet across. Older stems are bare near the center showing silver-gray stems clinging to the ground. In mid-summer to fall appear the capitate heads of coral tubular flowers. Plant in full sun to light shade. Best in cooler coastal climates where it requires little or only occasional irrigation. This plant is drought tolerant and fire-retardant and frost hardy to the low 20's° F. It makes a great addition as a low plant in a large space where it has room to spread. This species was recently lumped together by some with the seemingly identically flowering Aloe mitriformis as Aloe perfoliata and considered the coastal variant of this race however in the recent treatment in Aloes: The Definitive Guide the name Aloe mitriformis is resurrected and Aloe distans placed within it with the note that it should be regarded as a subspecies. This form has a more restricted natural distribution along the west coast of South Africa from Danger Point north to St. Helena Bay. The specific epithet 'distans', meaning "standing apart" or "far removed" is likely in reference to the plant's geographical distribution away from other similar aloes.
This information about Aloe distans 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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