Aloe cryptopoda / 5 seeds

Aloe cryptopoda is a very attractive, evergreen, succulent, perennial flowering plant which is usually stemless or has a very short around 800 mm tall stem. Almost acaulescent rosettes is the most distinguishing character of Aloe cryptopoda.>/p>

It grows alone or in small groups, mainly from the Limpopo Province, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia to Malawi in the north, in savannah (bushveld) regions on rocky slopes. The leaves are 900 x 150 mm and are narrow and oblong, and ascend in a dense apical rosette. They are greyish green in color and has smooth surface but reddish brown small, pointed marginal teeth. They secrete a yellowish-brown sap which is bitter to taste. When under stress, the leaves turn yellowish. The inflorescence is an erect 1.75m tall spike that bears up to 8 racemes which are conical, 400mm long and moderately flowered. Flowers are 40 x 7 mm, cylindrical in shape and develop from buds that are reddish, turning yellow when open, while in some types, flowers remain yellow. The stamens protrude slightly. Erect, conical racemes of red-orange cylindrical and slightly club-shaped reddish flowers is another distinguishing character of Aloe cryptopoda. Capsules are 23 x 13 mm in size, contain seeds that are grey and 5mm in diameter. July and August are generally the flowering season of this plant.

The epithet ‘cryptopoda’ in the name of this plant means ‘hidden foot’ which refers to the flower stalks which are hidden by the leafy bracts. The plant was first discovered by Sir John Kirk on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mozambique on 21st July 1859.

Aloe cryptopoda has been in use as a dye for wool giving a reddish brown to purplish red color to yarn, depending on the mordant used. In Zimbabwe, it’s also used to treat constipation and venereal disease, and as an abortifacient, although the abortifacient property couldn’t be demonstrated in tests.

Along with offsets, Aloe cryptopoda can also be propagated by seeds which should be sown in well-drained sandy soil during spring or summer and they germinate within 3 weeks. Soil should be kept moist. As soon as the seedlings become big enough to handle, you can pick them to plant in containers or garden. It thrives well in fertile soil with good drainage and full sun, and compost and organic fertilizers will enhance the growth process. Aloe cryptopoda is highly drought tolerant but loves light summer irrigation. But overwatering will kill this plant. It attracts nectar-loving birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.