About Aloe polyphylla Pillans
Aloe polyphylla Pillans is a stemless aloe that produces leaves in a very distinctive spiral shape. Mature plants do not usually produce suckers or offshoots, but groups of seedlings grown from seed can form small, dense clumps. Its leaves are thick, wide, grey-green, and serrated, with sharp, dark tips. Leaves grow in five distinct spiral rows, with approximately 21 leaves per full spiral rotation, giving this species a 5/21 phyllotaxy. It flowers at the start of summer, with blooms ranging in color from red to salmon pink, and occasionally yellow. Flowers are borne at the top of thick, branched inflorescences. This species, commonly called spiral aloe, grows on high, mountainous grassy slopes between 2000 and 2599 meters (6560 and 8530 feet) in elevation, and can sometimes grow at even higher altitudes on east-facing slopes. It grows anchored in rocky crevices and on well-drained scree slopes. Its native habitat has cool summers, and plants are often covered by deep snow during winter. The region receives very high summer rainfall, with additional moisture from clouds that cover the mountain peaks of Lesotho.
