Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Common names
A. disticha L. var. plicatilis L.: 321 (1753); Burm.f.: 10 (1768). Rhipidodendrum plicatile (L.) Haw.: 45 (1821). A. linguaeformis L.f.: 206 (1782). Type: Cape of Good Hope, Thunberg 8590 (UPS, holo.!; PRE, photo.!). A. tripetala Medik.: 55 (1783). Type: not cited. A. lingua Thunb.: 7 (1785); Aiton: 469 (1789); Thunb.: 61 (1794); Thunb.: 183 (1800); Thunb.: 312 (1823); N.E.Br.: 141 (1923). Type: South Africa, no precise locality, Thunberg 8590 (UPS, holo.!; PRE, photo.!). Kumara disticha Medik.: 70, t. 4 (1786). Rhipidodendron distichum (Medik.) Willd.: 165 (1811).Type: not cited. A. flabelliformis Salisb.: 246 (1796). Type: not cited. A. plicatilis (L.) Mill. var. major Salm-Dyck: 30 (1817); A.Berger: 324 (1908). Type: not cited.
Habitat
The distichous, glaucous, linear, obtuse leaves of this species recall those of A. haeman-thifolia (no. 23), but there are no grounds for confusing the two. A. plicatilis is a large, dichotomously branching shrub or small tree, and the leaves are much smaller than those of A. haemanthifolia and without fibres. The raceme is lax and cylindric, not dense and capitate, the pedicels are shorter and the flowers both longer and broader than in A. haemanthifolia.
Use
119. Aloe plicatilis (L.) Mill, The gardenÂer's dictionary: no. 7 (1768); Aiton: 470 (1789); Willd.: 190 (1799); Curtis: t. 457 (1799); DC: t. 75 (1801); W.T.Aiton: 296 (1811); Haw.: 74 (1812); Salm-Dyck: 28, t. 2 (1849); Baker: 328 (1896a); A.Berger: 322 (1908); Marloth: 93 (1915); Reynolds: 502 (1950); Jeppe: 67 (1969); Bornman & D.S.Hardy: 283 (1972); Palmer & Pitman: 400 (1972); Glen: t. 1972 (1988); B.-E. van Wyk & G.F.Sm.: 36 (1996). Iconotype: Aloe africana arborescens montana non spinosa, folio longissimo plicatili, flore rubro J.Commelijn, Horti medici Amstelaedam-ensis 2: 5, t. 3 (1701).
![Aloe plicatilis [family ALOACEAE]](/fsi/img/misc/plants/static_thumbs/cover_florasa_icon96.jpg)