A synoptic review of the aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an ecologically diverse province in eastern South Africa

Abstract The KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa has a varied topography, geology and climate and presents diverse habitats that support a rich and diverse flora. Aloes are well represented in KwaZulu-Natal, with four genera [Aloe L., Aloiampelos Klopper & Gideon F.Sm., Aloidendron (A.Berger) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. and Aristaloe Boatwr. & J.C.Manning] and 49 taxa occurring in the province. Fourteen of these are endemic and eleven near-endemic to the province. A floristic treatment of the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal is presented in the form of a synoptic review. Included are an identification key to the aloes that occur naturally in the province, species-level distribution maps and accompanying images, so providing for the first time, an atlas of aloe occurrence in this part of the subcontinent.


Introduction
The KwaZulu-Natal province covers an area of ± 92 290 km 2 in the southeast of South Africa ). It has a ± 580 km long coastline (Palmer et al. 2011) with the warm Agulhas Current of the Indian Ocean in the east and is bordered in the south and southwest by the Eastern Cape province, in the west by the Free State province and Lesotho and, in the north, by the Mpumalanga province, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Mozambique.
The main agricultural industry in KwaZulu-Natal is sugar production and vast areas of the province are covered with sugar cane plantations. Other agricultural activities include farming with sheep, cattle (dairy and beef ), plantation forestry, citrus fruit, maize, sorghum, cotton, bananas, macadamia nuts and pineapples. Industrial areas with textile, chemical, vehicle and food-processing plants and oil refineries are mainly located near the main ports of Durban (east-central KwaZulu-Natal) and Richards Bay (north coast). Coastal dune mining for heavy metals and minerals is having a negative impact on the coastal dune vegetation and marine ecology along parts of the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The province is also a popular tourism destination, especially the coastal region and the high mountains of the Great Escarpment (Drakensberg) on the border with Lesotho (Palmer et al. 2011; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KwaZulu-Natal).
Many areas in KwaZulu-Natal are densely populated or otherwise anthropogenically impacted, leading to the destruction or degradation of much natural vegetation. By 2005, 43% of the natural habitat in the province was already transformed, with the rate of such change much higher than the national average (Jewitt et al. 2015). These authors demonstrated that, in the seven-year period 2005-2011, an alarming 7.6% more natural habit was lost to anthropogenic transformation of the landscape. Jewitt et al. (2015) determined that the main drivers of change in the KwaZulu-Natal landscape were agriculture, silviculture (plantation timber industry), built environ-ments (peri-urban expansion), mines and dam construction. Unsustainable farming practices, the cultivation of monocultures such as sugar cane, commercial timber plantations and dune mining have long been recognised as important drivers of habitat loss in the province (Van Wyk and Smith 2001;Steenkamp et al. 2004). The province includes two natural areas that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, where sensitive ecosystems are protected. Several other smaller protected areas are scattered throughout the province. These areas play a vital role in conserving natural habitats and the species they harbour and, concomitantly, service the ecotourism economy of the province (Cyrus and Robson 1980;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KwaZulu-Natal).
The climate of KwaZulu-Natal ranges from temperate in the higher inland areas to subtropical or tropical along the coast. Maputaland, in the north-eastern corner of KwaZulu-Natal, is at the southern end of the tropics in Africa and many tropical plants and animals reach the southermost limit of their range here (Van Wyk 1996). The southern boundary of this true tropical area seems to follow the 18 °C mean midwinter isotherm (Poynton 1961(Poynton , 1962. Mean summer temperatures in the high Drakensberg are below 22 °C (Van Wyk and Smith 2001) and in the low 20s to high 30s at the coast (Palmer et al. 2011). Coastal temperatures (°C) range from the low teens to mid-20s in winter (Palmer et al. 2011), while very low temperatures of below freezing with frost and snow are regularly recorded during winter along the Drakensberg Escarpment (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). Mean daily winter temperatures in the mid-teens are usually experienced throughout the midlands (Cyrus and Robson 1980). KwaZulu-Natal receives predominantly summer rain (November-March) and the relative humidity is usually high, especially near and along the coast. Mist and fog is fairly common in the midlands (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). Rainfall at the coast can be as high as 1 200-1 500 mm per annum (McDonald and Jarman 1985;Palmer et al. 2011), but is lower at inland localities, with as little as 650 mm in the northeastern interior and some of the drier river valleys (McDonald and Jarman 1985). Mean annual rainfall along the high Drakensberg Escarpment can be as high as 2 000 mm (Van Wyk and Smith 2001).
Elevation ranges from sea level at the coast to an average crest height on the Drakensberg Escarpment, on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, of around 3 377 m above sea level (a.s.l.) (McDonald and Jarman 1985;Van Wyk and Smith 2001). Soils in KwaZulu-Natal were formed from a variety of geological formations and under various climatic and topographical conditions. This leads to a very diverse soil profile throughout the province (McDonald and Jarman 1985).
The great variation found in climate, topography and geology throughout Kwa-Zulu-Natal leads to high environmental heterogeneity. In addition, the proximity of the warm Agulhas Current may well have provided some climatic stability by acting as a buffer against periods of cooler climates in the past. This in turn has led to, inter alia, an exceptionally diverse vegetation and flora in the province (Ross 1972). KwaZulu-Natal harbours a large number of vegetation types (Mucina and Rutherford 2006) (see Fig. 1). Grassland predominates in the west of the province with savannah towards the east. Alpine vegetation occurs on the high Drakensberg Escarpment on the border with Lesotho. The Coastal Belt vegetation is regularly interrupted by large river systems, where a thicket-type vegetation is often present in the valleys. Numerous relatively small (relict) pockets of forest occur throughout the province and large wetlands are present, especially in the northeast (Maputaland; e.g. iSimangaliso) (Van Wyk and Smith 2001;Mucina 2018). KwaZulu-Natal harbours ± 5 250 indigenous plant species and infraspecific taxa. After the Eastern Cape (with ± 6 070 taxa), this is the second most diverse flora for any of the South African provinces. Around 390 species and infraspecific taxa (7.5%) are endemic to the province and ± 470 (9%) are regarded as taxa being of conservation concern (217 of which are threatened with extinction according to IUCN Red List criteria) ).
One of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots recognised by Conservation International , namely, the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot (Steenkamp et al. 2004) covers most of KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, three major local centres of plant endemism fall partly in the province (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). These are the Maputaland, Pondoland and Drakensberg Alpine Centres of Endemism. Almost the entire KwaZulu-Natal is included in the Maputaland-Pondoland Region (sensu Van Wyk and Smith 2001; partly congruent with and representing the bulk of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot), a floristic unit that is recognised at a higher level and includes the three above-mentioned Centres of Endemism and other smaller local centres of endemism (see Fig. 1). In terms of species numbers, the Maputaland-Pondoland Region is, after the Cape Floristic Region, the second-richest floristic region in southern Africa (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). This Region also extends northwards to around the Hoedspruit area in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, Massingir and Xai-Xai in Mozambique and in a southwesterly direction into the Eastern Cape province, to beyond East London. This entire region has an endemism level of around 25.7% and also harbours a large number of threatened plants (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). The majority of endemics are confined to the most threatened vegetation type in the region, namely the Grassland Biome (Van Wyk and Smith 2001;Steenkamp et al. 2004).
The Drakensberg Alpine Centre of Endemism covers the central high-lying portion of the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and western KwaZulu-Natal (see Fig. 1). The high Drakensberg (above 1 800 m a.s.l.) is often recognised as a distinct floristic region, based on climatological and floristic evidence and the vegetation can be broadly classified into subalpine (± 1 800-2 800 m) and alpine belts (± 2 800-3 500 m) (Killick 1978;Van Wyk and Smith 2001). Levels of endemism of 13% for strict endemics and 37% for near-endemic taxa have been recorded for the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (Carbutt and Edwards 2006), also referred to as the Drakensberg Mountain Centre (Carbutt 2019), although endemic succulents are generally not well-represented in this region (e.g. see Smith and Willis 1999 on Crassula L.). The only aloe that is endemic to the Drakensberg Alpine Centre is the highly threatened spiral aloe, Aloe polyphylla Schönland ex Pillans (Van Wyk and Smith 2001). Note, however, that as Aloe polyphylla is confined to Lesotho, it is not treated in this atlas for the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal aloes
South Africa harbours 27% (± 170 species and infraspecific taxa) of the world's ± 630 species of aloe. This is more than for any other country. KwaZulu-Natal alone has 49 aloes (29% of the aloes in South Africa). Of these, 14 (28.5%) are endemic to the province and a further 11 (22%) near-endemic. Near-endemic status is here applied to restricted range aloes where more than 75% of the distribution range falls within KwaZulu-Natal. Accordingly, a majority (51%) of the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal are wholly or mostly restricted to the province. At least 31 aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (63%) are endemic or near-endemic to the Maputaland-Pondoland Region (see Table 1). As a result, figures for aloe endemism are much higher than the 7.5% endemism estimated for the province or the average 25.7% endemism recorded for the flora of the Maputaland-Pondoland Region, making KwaZulu-Natal an important area for the conservation of aloes and their habitats.
A total of 12 (24.5%) aloes have the largest part of their distribution ranges outside of KwaZulu-Natal and only marginally enter this province. The distribution range of eight (16%) aloes extend to the north and south of KwaZulu-Natal, while 16 of the non-endemic aloes (33%) reach either the southern or northern limit of their distribution ranges within the province (see Table 1).
Aloes in KwaZulu-Natal are represented by four genera (generic classification following Grace et al. 2013 andManning et al. 2014 KwaZulu-Natal is especially rich in so-called grass aloes with no less than 18 species (37% of the aloes treated here) (Craib 2005). This is around 55% of the total number of grass aloes present in South Africa. Ten of these (55% of grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal) are either endemic (six; 33%) or near-endemic (four; 22%) to the province (see Table 1). Considering that the Grassland Biome, which is the habitat of these grass aloes, is the most threatened vegetation type in the region (Van Wyk and Smith 2001; Steenkamp et al. 2004), the importance of grassland conservation in KwaZulu-Natal for the continued survival of these aloes cannot be over-emphasised. This is further highlighted by the fact that six (33%) of the grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal are regarded as threatened (see Table 2).
Another group that is very well represented in this province is the maculate aloes, with ten (20% of the aloes in KwaZulu-Natal) representatives, of which four (40% of maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal) are endemic and three (30%) near-endemic (see Table 1). However, there is considerable debate on the delimitation of Aloe taxa in northern KwaZulu-Natal, especially regarding the maculate aloes. In this region, several species grow sympatrically and hybridisation is common amongst species with overlapping flowering periods, with the result that, at certain localities, species seem Table 1. Checklist of endemic and near-endemic aloe taxa of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Maputaland-Pondoland Region. Restricted range aloes, where more than 75% of the distribution range falls within KwaZulu-Natal, are here regarded as near-endemic to the province. Also indicated are taxa that only have a minor part of their range in this province, but have their main distribution range outside of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as taxa that reach the limits of their distribution in this province. [N -reaches northern extreme of range; NE -reaches northeast of range; S -reaches southern extreme of range; SE -reaches south-eastern extreme of range; MPR -Maputaland-Pondoland Region endemic or near-endemic].

Taxon
Endemic Near-endemic Minor range Limit MPR Aloiampelos tenuior X N Aloidendron barberae to intergrade. This makes identification difficult and in several areas plants can only be positively identified during the flowering season. A particular example is the Aloe maculata / Aloe parvibracteata-complex of maculate aloes that flower in mid-winter (southern hemisphere), during June and July. A gradual cline has been observed from south to north amongst Aloe maculata All., Aloe umfoloziensis Reynolds and Aloe parvibracteata Schönland (Reynolds 1950). At their geographical extremes, it is, however, possible to tell these three species apart.
This synoptic review provides a complete floristic treatment of the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal. It also contains an identification key to the aloes of this province, along with species-level distribution maps and accompanying images, giving for the first time, an atlas of aloe occurrence in this part of the subcontinent. To prevent confusion between Aloe, Aloiampelos and Aristaloe in the species treatments, we do not abbreviate generic names to the first letter.

Conservation and protection status
Aloes are protected under both provincial legislation and international convention. All KwaZulu-Natal aloes are listed as specially protected under KwaZulu-Natal nature conservation legislation (Province of KwaZulu-Natal 1997) and may, therefore, not be removed from the wild without the necessary permits. Furthermore, all species of Aloe [or, at least, species treated in this genus prior to the new generic classification published in Grace et al. (2013) and Manning et al. (2014); see Grace and Klopper (2014)] [except for Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.] appear on CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendices, meaning that international trade in aloes is controlled to prevent utilisation that would be incompatible with their survival. The taxa occurring in KwaZulu-Natal are all included in Appendix II (CITES 2018), necessitating CITES permit arrangements for such trade. In practice, most aloes are nonetheless subjected to ongoing illegal removal of plants from the wild, coupled to impacts resulting from anthropogenic degradation of their habitats.
Conservation status and threats to the survival of each species are given here according to  and the Red List of South African Plants website (http:// redlist.sanbi.org), reflecting the 2001 IUCN Red List categories (IUCN 2001). Where an assessment is not available in these sources, the information given was obtained from Lize von Staden (personal communication) of the Threatened Species Programme at the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria. Many of these conservation statuses are still under review and might change as further evidence becomes available. The majority of aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (30 taxa or 61%) falls in the Least Concern (LC) category. For Aloe cooperi Baker, the population trend is considered to be Declining. Nineteen (39%) of the KwaZulu-Natal aloes are regarded as taxa of conservation concern (NT, VU, EN, CR): seven taxa (14%) are Near-Threatened (NT). A total of twelve aloes (24%) are threatened (VU, EN, CR): three (6%) are Vulnerable (VU); eight (16%) are Endangered (EN); and one (2%) is Critically Endangered (CR) (see Table 2).  KwaZulu-Natal. [Least Concern (LC), Near-threatened (NT), Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), Critically Endangered (CR); Taxa of conservation concern = NT, VU, EN, CR; Threatened taxa = VU, EN, CR].

Key to the aloes of KwaZulu-Natal
Note. To reliably identify aloes species, knowledge of the morphology of mature plants and their reproductive structures and, often, their geographical origin, are essential. Accordingly, this key does not cater for juvenile or sterile material and only applies to plants in the wild or collected/cultivated ones of known provenance.

Species treatments
Species are arranged alphabetically according to species name, with the minor genera treated before the true aloes. Only common names that are relevant to KwaZulu-Natal are given. Further common names can be found in Grace et al. (2011). E indicates taxa that are endemic to KwaZulu-Natal. NE indicates taxa that are near-endemic to KwaZulu-Natal (more than 75% of the distribution range falls within this province).

Habitat.
Often in open habitats on sandy soils, more rarely in thicket vegetation, sometimes on steep slopes. In contrast, other species of Aloiampelos that do not occur in KwaZulu-Natal, such as A. ciliaris (Haw.) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. from the Eastern Cape, more commonly occur in thicket or fynbos.

Diagnostic characters.
Aloiampelos tenuior is the only aloe indigenous to KwaZulu-Natal that forms an untidy tangled shrub with thin slender stems. Also diagnostic is its cauline dispersed, blue-green leaves, with distinct sheaths that are obscurely lined. Racemes are elongated, with small red, orange or yellow cylindrical, uncurved flowers and long-exserted stamens and style.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Occurs from the Port Elizabeth and Jansenville areas in the Eastern Cape into southern KwaZulu-Natal, the Richmond area and then with a disjunct distribution in northern KwaZulu-Natal on the border with Mpumalanga (South Africa) and Eswatini (Fig. 2).
Flowering time. May-August.
Habitat. Dense, tall bush and low forest, rocky slopes of wooded valleys. Diagnostic characters. Aloidendron barberae is one of only two large-growing tree aloes indigenous to KwaZulu-Natal. These two aloes both have dichotomously branched stems and branches that lack persistent dried leaves. Aloidendron barberae dif-fers from Aloidendron tongaense in being much taller (up to 18 m) with more branches and having larger bright green leaves of 60-90 cm long (not dull green and 40-59 cm); their distribution ranges are also mutually exclusive. The inflorescence is also slightly taller at 0.4-0.6 m (not ± 0.35 m) and 3-branched from a single point (not up to 6-branched), with longer cylindrical racemes of 20-30 cm long (not capitate and 4-6 cm), bearing straight rose-pink flowers that are 33-37 mm long (not curved yellow flowers of 47-50 mm) with stamens exserted to 15 mm at anthesis (not 3-5 mm).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Occurs in scattered localities, often in inaccessible sites (with steep gradients), in a broad coastal zone from East London in the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, South Africa, also in Eswatini (Fig. 3).
Notes. Aloidendron barberae is often cited as occurring in Mozambique, the latest of these being Van Jaarsveld and Judd (2015). However, an examination of available herbarium specimens at several South African and European herbaria has shown that specimens from Mozambique all represent A. tongaense (Walker et al. 2019b). This is supported by Burrows et al. (2018) who only treat the latter species. However, considering that A. barberae is common on the South African side of the Lebombo range, it may well be present in nearby southern Mozambique, which borders on the foothills of the range. Further investigation is needed to confirm whether or not A. barberae is present in this botanically under-explored part of Mozambique.
Flowering time. Mainly April-May.
Habitat. Sand forest and coastal dune forest, in warm, humid, tropical/subtropical conditions, on sandy soil.
Diagnostic characters. Aloidendron tongaense is one of only two large tree aloes indigenous to KwaZulu-Natal. These two aloes both have dichotomously branched stems that lack persistent dried leaves. Aloidendron tongaense differs from Aloidendron barberae in being a shorter tree (up to 8 m, not up to 18 m) with fewer branches and having smaller dull green leaves of 40-59 cm long (not bright green and 60- Notes. This aloe was previously considered to be a coastal form of A. barberae, but was later accorded species status (Van Jaarsveld 2010). Although the protologue and subsequent literature states that the species is only known from northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and adjacent areas of southern Mozambique, herbarium specimens indicate that it occurs much wider in Mozambique. In fact, numerous specimens from lowland parts of Mozambique, previously regarded as A. barberae, have now been assigned to A. tongaense (Walker et al. 2019b).

Flowering time. August-October (November).
Habitat. Wide variety of habitats, including sandy to clayey soils in hot, dry karroid areas, deep shade on humus-rich soil in riverine forest and montane forest and grassland on high mountains in Lesotho.
Diagnostic characters. Aristaloe aristata can easily be distinguished from other KwaZulu-Natal aloes by being an acaulescent plant with small haworthia-like rosettes (10-15 cm diameter) that sometimes occur solitary, but more often sucker to form dense groups. The leaves (8-10 × 1-2 cm) have numerous, tuberculed, white-spots with long, thin, hair-like tips on both surfaces. The inflorescence (0.2-0.5 m high) is usually 2-to 6-branched or occasionally simple with the peduncle without sterile bracts. Racemes are subcapitate and rather lax. Flowers are tubular and slightly curved (± 40 mm long), with a basal swelling around the ovary. The uppermost (dorsal) portion of the pedicel and flower, which receive more sun, are deeper red than the paler lower (ventral) portion. This is the only South African Aloe species that resembles a member of Haworthia Duval when not in flower.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Widespread from Beaufort West (Western Cape) in the central Great Karoo, through the Eastern Cape and eastern Free State to south-western Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa, as well as in Lesotho (Fig. 5).
Habitat. Usually in pockets of rich soil on krantz edges, rocky slopes and outcrops in areas of high summer rainfall, sometimes in dense bush.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe arborescens is a much-branched shrub up to 5 m high, with stems rather robust (not thin and slender as in Aloiampelos tenuior) and leaves in dense rosettes at the branch apices. Leaves are greyish-green with pale yellow teeth. In- Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. The krantz aloe is very widely distributed in south-eastern Africa and has the third widest distribution range of all Aloe species. It occurs from the Cape Peninsula (where it has arguably become naturalised), along the south and east coast of South Africa, through the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal and inland to Mpumalanga and Limpopo, just entering the eastern Free State, as well as further north to Mozambique and the eastern mountains of Zimbabwe and Malawi (Fig. 6). A robust form of the species has become naturalised along the European Mediterranean coast (see, for example, Smith and Figueiredo 2009).
Notes. In the past, several variations of A. arborescens have been afforded formal status at subspecific or varietal ranks, the most recent being A. arborescens subsp. mzimnyati Van Jaarsv. & A.E.van Wyk, which is endemic to the lower Mzimnyati River (Buffalo River) in KwaZulu-Natal. This subspecies is distinguished by its smaller growth habit (forming a shrub of 0.50-0.75 m high), its smaller, slightly clavate flowers (22-25 mm long) that vary in colour (orange-red to orange to yellow) within the same population and its slightly later flowering time (July-August) (Van Jaarsveld and Van Wyk 2005). We here follow the view of Smith et al. (2012), who concluded that it is better to regard A. arborescens as a single variable species, pending further research and, therefore, include A. arborescens subsp. mzimnyati in the synonymy of the species.
Flowering time. January-March.
Habitat. Rocky sandstone and quartzitic outcrops. Diagnostic characters. Aloe bergeriana can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal where the leaf bases form a subterranean bulb-like swelling (Aloe inconspicua, Aloe kniphofioides and Aloe modesta) by the very narrow leaves (15-29 × 0.1-0.3 cm) that are twisted once and hairy near the unspotted base, with rosy leaf bases. It is also characterised by the lax, unbranched, cylindrical raceme with shortly pedicellate, sub-erect to horizontal, pinkish-white, darker keeled, bilabiate, unscented flowers (14-17 mm long).

Conservation status. Least Concern (Von Staden 2014a).
Distribution. Widespread but rare throughout Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, South Africa, with records from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Namibia, possibly also in Botswana and Zimbabwe (Fig. 7).
Flowering time. December-January.
Habitat. Eastern escarpment grassland, open rocky grassy hillsides. Diagnostic characters. Aloe boylei can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with its unkeeled leaves that are wider than 3.5 cm (Aloe ecklonis, Aloe hlangapies, Aloe kraussii and Aloe neilcrouchii), by the large rosette of erect, rosulate leaves (50-60 × 6-9 cm), with the upper surface usually without spots and the lower surface copiously white-spotted near the base. It is further characterised by the unbranched in- florescences (0.4-0.6 m high) that have dense, capitate, subcorymbose or slightly conical racemes (10-12 cm long) with large (30-40 mm long), salmon-pink, tubular flowers.
Conservation status. Least Concern (L. von Staden pers. comm.). Distribution. This species is widely distributed in eastern southern Africa, occurring in the Eastern Cape, western KwaZulu-Natal, eastern Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo in South Africa, as well as eastern Lesotho and western Eswatini (Fig. 8).
Notes. Aloe boylei is considered by some as conspecific with Aloe ecklonis Salm-Dyck, together with Aloe kraussii Baker and Aloe hlangapies Groenewald (Glen and Hardy 2000;Carter et al. 2011).
Habitat. Thornveld and bushy places on rocky slopes and hills and undulating country. Diagnostic characters. Aloe candelabrum differs from the other tall often singlestemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe marlothii, Aloe pluridens, Aloe rupestris, Aloe spectabilis and Aloe thraskii) with branched inflorescences, by having long (± 100 × 15 cm), spreading to recurved, deeply channelled leaves that sometimes have a few scattered spines on the lower surface and pungent, reddish to reddish-brown marginal teeth. The candelabra-like inflorescence is 6-to 12-branched with erect, very dense, cylindrical, slightly acuminate racemes of 50-80 cm long (the terminal raceme being longer than the lateral ones). Flowers are scarlet, sometimes rose-pink to orange, rarely white and ± 32 mm long with white inner segment tips.
Conservation status. Near-threatened. Threats include habitat loss and degradation owing to silviculture, agriculture (mainly sugarcane) and urban expansion, as well as encroachment by alien invasives and illegal harvesting (L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. More or less restricted to the valleys between the Umkhomazi and Umgeni Rivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 9).
Notes.  (1876). This agave species is probably a synonym of Agave cantala (Haw.) Roxb. ex Salm-Dyck . The name Aloe candelabrum A.Berger is thus legitimate and not a later homonym (Reynolds 1950) as is often reported (e.g. Govaerts 2014).
Recognition of Aloe candelabrum as distinct from Aloe ferox Mill. (Smith et al. 2016), in the synonymy of which it is sometimes included, implies that Aloe ferox, a predominantly Western and Eastern Cape species that just enters the south-western Free State and southern Lesotho, does not occur in KwaZulu-Natal.
Habitat. Usually on bare rock on granite domes, at foot of granite whalebacks and outcrops or in shallow soil pockets and shady wooded slopes. Frost-sensitive. Diagnostic characters. Aloe chabaudii var. chabaudii can be distinguished from other virtually acaulescent, non-maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aristaloe aristata, Aloe gerstneri, Aloe pratensis, Aloe reitzii var. vernalis, Aloe suprafoliata and Aloe vanbalenii) by its suckering habit that results in the establishment of dense groups of rosettes. It is further characterised by its erect to spreading, greyish-green to glaucous green leaves (30-60 × 6-15 cm) with rather small closely-spaced marginal teeth. The inflorescence is erect to oblique, up to 1.5 m high and 6-to 12-branched with the lower branches spreading and rebranching. Floral bracts are short (3-6 mm) and pedicels oblique to almost horizontal (up to 25 mm). Flowers are mostly reddish, 35-40 mm long and narrowed above the ovary.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Centre of distribution in Zimbabwe, extending north to Zambia and Malawi and south-western Tanzania, west into eastern Botswana, the Caprivi Strip of north-eastern Namibia, east to Mozambique and south to the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, as well as Eswatini (Fig. 10).
Notes. One other variety is recognised in A. chabaudii, namely A. chabaudii var. mlanjeana Christian that is confined to the Mulanje Massif and hills in the Thyolo and Mulanje District, Malawi.
Habitat. Regularly occurs in marshy places. Grows also in well-drained habitats, often amongst rocks on grassy hillsides.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe cooperi is distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with strongly keeled leaves (Aloe myriacantha and Aloe sharoniae) by the inflorescence (0.4-1.0 m high) that can sometimes be shorter than the distichous leaves (40-80 cm long). Leaves have copious white spots near the base on the lower surface and a toothed margin. Flowers are salmon-pink near the base, green tipped and 25-40 mm long, with the mouth not bilabiate or upturned. Floral bracts are flat and not clasping the pedicel (as in Aloe sharoniae).
Conservation status. Least Concern, but declining. Threats include habitat transformation owing to commercial silvicultural and agricultural practices, as well as overgrazing and alien invasives ).
Distribution. Occurs mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, just entering the eastern Free State, the southeast of Limpopo and the northern part of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, also widespread in Eswatini and just entering Lesotho and Mozambique (Fig. 11).
Notes. In recent years, Aloe cooperi has become very popular in South Africa in large-scale landscaping, for example of industrial sites. Unlike several other grass and slender aloes, that do not thrive beyond their natural geographical distribution ranges, most forms of Aloe cooperi are relatively easy in cultivation. Description. Acaulescent plants, 0.5-0.8 m high; rosettes solitary, erect, can be over 1 m in diameter. Leaves densely rosulate, speading, dull glossy green, upper surface with numerous dull white, elongate, spots, irregularly scattered or sometimes in irregular undulating transverse bands, lower surface without spots, obscurely lineate, lanceolate-attenuate, 36-50 cm long, 7-13 cm wide at base; margin prominent, horny, brown, with pungent, deltoid, stout, brown teeth, up to 10 mm long, 10-15 mm apart; exudate clear. Inflorescence up to 2-3 m high, erect, 8-to 12-branched from about middle. Racemes cylindrical-acuminate, up to 40 cm long, ± 7 cm wide, lax, terminal raceme the longest. Floral bracts ± 20 mm long, 3 mm wide. Pedicels 8-15 mm long. Flowers: perianth dull scarlet with a bloom, 35-42 mm long, up to 14 mm across ovary, abruptly constricted above ovary to form distinct globose basal swelling, enlarging towards mouth, slightly decurved; outer segments free for 6 mm; stamens exserted to 3 mm; style exserted 1-2 mm.
Flowering time. February-March. Habitat. Windswept, gently sloping open grassland in midlands of the province on heavy soils, in areas with fairly cold winters and high rainfall with a summer maximum.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe dewetii can be distinguished from other maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe maculata subsp. maculata, Aloe mudenensis, Aloe parvibracteata, Aloe prinslooi, Aloe pruinosa, Aloe suffulta, Aloe umfoloziensis, Aloe vanrooyenii and Aloe viridiana) by the spreading leaves (36-50 × 7-13 cm) that have a peculiar glossy appearance and a most pronounced horny, brown margin with extra-large, pungent teeth of up to 10 mm long. Leaves are spotted on the upper surface, while the lower surface is without spots and obscurely lineate. The 8-to 12-branched and rebranched inflorescences are the tallest of all the maculates (up to 2-3 m high) and have widelyspreading branches and long cylindrical, lax racemes (up to 40 cm long). Pedicels are 8-15 mm long. Flowers are dull scarlet with a bloom, 35-42 mm long and with a large globose basal swelling (up to 14 mm diameter).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Limited to northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mpumalanga in South Africa, as well as Eswatini (Fig. 12).
Habitat. Wedged between rocks in short grassland, often on steep, dry, rocky slopes. Diagnostic characters. Aloe dominella can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe linearifolia, Aloe micracantha, Figure 13. Aloe dominella. Photo: SANBI, PRE Slide Collection. Aloe minima, Aloe nicholsii, Aloe parviflora and Aloe saundersiae), by the rosulate, very narrow leaves (7-35 × 0.2-1.0 cm) that are stiffly erect in small tufts. The dull green leaves have numerous small white spots near the base on the lower surface. It is also characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (0.25-0.40 m high) with short, yellow flowers (13-18 mm long) that are carried in rather dense capitate racemes. Pedicels are 13-20 mm long. Rosettes are in groups.
Conservation status. Near-threatened. Threats include overgrazing, alien invasives and poor recruitment owing to too frequent fires ).
Distribution. Confined to the central highlands of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, from Estcourt to Vryheid; just entering southern Eswatini (Fig. 13).
Habitat. Usually on heavy clay soils which pack hard on drying. Flat to undulating grassland, rarely on rocky slopes.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe ecklonis can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are wider than 3.5 cm (Aloe boylei, Aloe hlangapies, Aloe kraussii and Aloe neilcrouchii), by the large rosettes of erectly spreading, rosulate leaves (30-40 × 3-10 cm), that sometimes have a few small, white spots near the base on the lower surface. It is further characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (0.38-0.50 m high) that have dense, broadly capitate, somewhat corymbose racemes (± 5 cm long) with short [20-24(-40) mm long], yellow to red or usually salmon-pink flowers that are markedly swollen in the middle.
Distribution. This species is the most widely distributed grass aloe in southern Africa, occurring along the Great Escarpment in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, eastern Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, South Africa, as well as in Lesotho and western Eswatini (Fig. 14).
Note. Aloe ecklonis is highly variable across its range.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe gerstneri can be distinguished from other virtually acaulescent, non-maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aristaloe aristata, Aloe chabaudii var. chabaudii, Aloe pratensis, Aloe reitzii var. vernalis, Aloe suprafoliata and Aloe vanbalenii) by the very dense racemes (up to 36 × 6-7 cm) with short erect pedicels (5 mm). Flowers are yellowish-orange, 24-30 mm long, tubular and straight, pointing downwards and almost pressed against the stalk, with conspicuously exserted stamens and style. Leaves can be copiously spiny on both surfaces in young plants, but mature leaves (40-60 × 6-12 cm) are without surface prickles (sometimes with spines on median line of lower surface), arcuate erect, dull grey-green and with pungent marginal teeth on a distinctive white base.
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include habitat degradation owing to erosion caused by overgrazing and subsistence farming (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Restricted to a small area in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 15).
Habitat. Damp, low-lying grassland and on grassy slopes. Diagnostic characters. Aloe hlangapies can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are wider than 3.5 cm (Aloe boylei, Aloe ecklonis, Aloe kraussii and Aloe neilcrouchii), by the rosette of erect to spreading, distichous leaves (35-50 × 5-6 cm), with the upper surface usually without spots and the lower surface usually copiously white-spotted near the base. It is further characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (± 0.5 m high) that have dense, capitate racemes (up to 7 cm long) with relatively long (28-30 mm long), usually apricot-yellow and greenish tipped, tubular flowers.
Conservation status. Vulnerable. Threats include habitat loss owing to silviculture, agriculture and urban expansion, as well as overgrazing and alien invasives. There is also a potential threat from coal mining (L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Only known from the area on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga in South Africa and just entering south-western Eswatini (Fig. 16).
Flowering time. November. Habitat. In sparse short grass in areas of dry, low-altitude, thorny, open woodland. Grows in the transition zone between open grassland and valley bushveld. Shale and sandstone. Hot summers, but can be very cold in winter.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe inconspicua can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal where the leaf bases form a subterranean bulb-like swelling (Aloe bergeriana, Aloe kniphofioides and Aloe modesta), by the very narrow leaves (10-20 × 0.3-0.4 cm) that are heavily spotted on the lower surface and with soft transluscent marginal teeth. It is also characterised by the very dense, unbranched, cylindrical raceme (± 7 cm long) with sessile, suberectly spreading, green, slightly bilabiate, unscented flowers (15 mm long).
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include habitat degradation owing to overgrazing, subsistence farming and urban expansion ).
Distribution. Only known from the Bushmans River catchment between Weenen and Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 17).
Habitat. Grassland in reasonably high rainfall areas. Rather heavy, stone-free soils. Diagnostic characters. Aloe kniphofioides can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal where the leaf bases form a subterranean bulb-like swelling (Aloe bergeriana, Aloe inconspicua and Aloe modesta), by the long, narrow, bright red, unscented flowers (30-50 mm long) that are pendent in a very lax, unbranched, cylindrical raceme (10-15 cm long), with pedicels 12-18 mm long. The narrow leaves (20-40 × 0.6-0.7 cm) are usually without spots and with or without minute white marginal teeth.
Conservation status. Near-threatened. Threats include habitat transformation and degradation owing to mining, commercial afforestation and alien invasives, as well as a loss of pollinators and poor fire management leading to poor recruitment (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Widely but sparsely distributed. This species has a disjunct distribution: it occurs in the Kokstad area on the border of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape province; and then along the Great Escarpment in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and just entering the eastern Free State, South Africa, as well as in Eswatini (Fig. 18).

Habitat. Damp places in sandy soil or on stony slopes of grassy hillsides in the mistbelt of the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe kraussii can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are wider than 3.5 cm (Aloe boylei, Aloe ecklonis, Aloe hlangapies and Aloe neilcrouchii), by the rosettes of erectly spreading, distichous or sub-distichous leaves (± 30-40 × 3.5-5.0 cm), that sometimes have a few white spots near the base on the lower surface. It is further characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (0.35-0.40 m high) that have dense, capitate and somewhat corymbose racemes (± 3 cm long) with small (16-18 mm long), yellow, rather straight flowers.
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include habitat loss and degradation owing to silviculture, agiculture (mainly sugarcane) and urban expansion, as well as alien invasives (L. von Staden pers. comm.). It is one of the rarer of the grass aloes owing to habitat loss (Craib 2005).
Distribution. Confined to the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where it is still fairly common (Fig. 19).
Notes. Aloe kraussii is considered by some to be a low-altitude form of Aloe ecklonis Salm-Dyck ).

Habitat.
Damp places in open sunny situations in stony grassveld or on grassy slopes, often on rocky outcrops.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe linearifolia can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe micracantha, Aloe minima, Aloe nicholsii, Aloe parviflora and Aloe saundersiae), by the distichous, erect to erectly spreading, long and narrow, green leaves (± 25 × 0.5-1.0 cm), with copious white and brown spots near the base on the lower surface. It is also characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (0.20-0.35 m high) with dense, capitate racemes of short, yellow flowers (± 12 mm long) that are carried on stout pedicels (12-15 mm long). Rosettes are usually solitary or occasionally in small groups.
Conservation status. Least Concern. Threats include habitat transformation owing to commercial silvicultural and agricultural practices and urban expansion, as well as overgrazing and poor fire management (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Mainly found in the grasslands of southern and central KwaZulu-Natal and the northern Eastern Cape, South Africa, with a few scattered collections from northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga of South Africa; also just entering north-western Eswatini (Fig. 20).
Flowering time. June-September in the north, December-January in the south.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. This subspecies is one of the most widely distributed of the spotted aloes. It occurs from the Cape Peninsula through the Western and Eastern Cape, into the eastern Free State, through KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, South Africa; also in Lesotho and Eswatini (Fig. 21).
Notes. One other subspecies is recognised, namely A. maculata subsp. ficksburgensis (Reynolds) Gideon F.Sm. & Figueiredo, which is only known from the eastern Free State, South Africa and western Lesotho.
Habitat. Aloe marlothii subsp. marlothii grows in a wide variety of habitats, including bushveld on stony, usually bare soils or rocky outcrops. Aloe marlothii subsp. orientalis is confined to coastal grassland in sandy soil.

Diagnostic characters.
Aloe marlothii differs from the other tall often single-stemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with branched inflorescences and persistent dried leaves (Aloe candelabrum, Aloe pluridens, Aloe rupestris, Aloe spectabilis and Aloe thraskii), by having its racemes horizontal to oblique (not erect) with the flowers secund. The inflorescence is much-branched with up to 30 racemes. Flowers are yellow to orange, up to 35 mm long with the inner segment tips purplish and the exserted portion of stamens deep purple (not deep purplish-black to black segment tips and orange filaments as in Aloe spectabilis). Aloe marlothii subsp. marlothii is further distinguished by the presence of copious spines on both leaf surfaces. The main characters separating Aloe marlothii subsp. orientalis Glen & D.S.Hardy from the typical subspecies is its short stems of up to 1.75 m (not up to 4 m), that are sometimes oblique or procumbent and often suckering to form clumps (not solitary rosettes). Its leaves also have no or only a few surface prickles, while its racemes are usually oblique (not as horizontal as in subsp. marlothii). Drying leaves of Aloe marlothii subsp. orientalis have a peculiar, unpleasant odour (Glen and Hardy 1987).
Conservation status. Both subspecies are Least Concern ). Distribution. Aloe marlothii subsp. marlothii (red on map) is widespread throughout North-West, Limpopo (as far north as the Soutpansberg), Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, as well as in south-eastern Botswana and into western Eswatini. Aloe marlothii subsp. orientalis (orange on map) is only known from northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, as well as southern Mozambique and low lying areas of Eswatini (Fig. 22). It is near-endemic to the Maputaland Centre of Endemism.
Notes. Aloe marlothii grades through intermediates into Aloe spectabilis Reynolds at some localities (Reynolds 1950). As a result, the two species are considered conspecific by some authors (Glen and Hardy 2000;Carter et al. 2011).
Flowering time. January-March.
Habitat. Well-drained, dry, open sandy or stony places in coastal grassland, often wedged between rocks. Diagnostic characters. Aloe micracantha can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe minima, Aloe nicholsii, Aloe parviflora and Aloe saundersiae), by the multifarious to subdistichous, erect and rigid, deep yellowish-green, smoothly channelled (not sharply keeled) leaves (30-50 × 2-4 cm), with copious white spots on both surfaces. It is also characterised by the unbranched inflorescences (0.45-0.50 m high) with dense, capitate racemes, where the pedicels (20-35 mm long), perianth (25-40 mm long) and ovary are all salmon-pink. Rosettes are usually solitary.
Conservation status. Near-threatened. Threats include agricultural practices, urban expansion and the encroachment of alien invasives ).
Distribution. Occurs in a fairly narrow coastal to near-coastal strip from the Uniondale area in the Western Cape to Bathurst in the Eastern Cape, with outlier collections from Mt Ayliff in the north-eastern Eastern Cape and Karkloof in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 23). It is the grass aloe with the most westerly distribution in southern Africa and the only grass aloe to occur in Fynbos vegetation.
Habitat. Hilly and mountainous grassland on fairly heavy soils with loose stones. Diagnostic characters. Aloe minima can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe micra- cantha, Aloe nicholsii, Aloe parviflora and Aloe saundersiae), by the short inflorescence (0.25-0.50 m high) with dense, capitate racemes and pedicels 10-20 mm long. The peduncle is smooth (without prickles as in Aloe parviflora). Flowers are small (10-11 mm long) and dull pink, with a spreading, upturned mouth. The rosulate leaves (25-35 × 0.4-0.6 cm) are suberect and rather rigid, with copious slightly tuberculatespinulescent spots towards the base on the lower surface. Rosettes are solitary.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Occurs from the far northern parts of the Eastern Cape, just south of Port Edward, widespread through KwaZulu-Natal and along the Great Escarpment into Mpumalanga, South Africa and western Eswatini (Fig. 24).
Habitat. Stony ground in high altitude open grassland in areas characterised by cold winters and high rainfall. Reasonably heavy and sometimes shale soils.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe modesta can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal where the leaf bases form a subterranean bulb-like swelling (Aloe bergeriana, Aloe inconspicua and Aloe kniphofioides), by the narrow leaves (15-20 × 0.8-0.9 cm) with minute translucent marginal teeth and that are copiously spotted near the base of the lower surface. It is also characterised by the very dense, unbranched, subcapitate raceme (3.5-4.0 cm long) with almost sessile, yellow, sweetly scented flowers (10-15 mm long). It is the only species of aloe with scented flowers outside of Madagascar (Dyer and Hardy 1974;Van der Riet 1977;Glen and Hardy 2000).
Distribution. Known only from the mountains around Barberton and near Dullstroom and Lydenburg, Mpumalanga and from the Wakkerstroom area near the Kwa-Zulu-Natal border, South Africa (Fig. 25).
Distribution. KwaZulu-Natal midlands, on the Mpumalanga border with northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and in Eswatini (Fig. 26).
Flowering time. January-May/April (southern Africa), May-June (Kenya and Uganda). Habitat. Grows amongst rocks and on rocky slopes in high-altitude montane grassland.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe myriacantha is distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with strongly-keeled leaves (Aloe cooperi and Aloe sharoniae) by the dull pinkish-red flowers (15-20 mm long) with a distinctly bilabiate upturned mouth. The inflorescence (0.20-0.30 m high) is equal to or slightly longer than the rosulate leaves (± 25 cm long). Leaves have a minutely toothed margin and have spots near the base, with the spots more copious and somewhat tuberculate-subspinulescent on the lower surface.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. A typical Afromontane (sensu White 1983) floristic element, this species has probably the widest distribution range of any Aloe. It occurs from the Humansdorp area in the Eastern Cape, along the coast and widespread through KwaZulu-Natal, northwards along the escarpment to the Bosbokrand area in Mpumalanga, South Africa and also in western Eswatini. It is also found further north on the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, in Malawi and the Eastern Arc of mountains in Tanzania and Kenya, as well as Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda in southern Tropical Africa (Fig. 27).
Flowering time. December-January.
Habitat. Southeast-facing aspects in rocky grassland. Diagnostic characters. Aloe neilcrouchii can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are wider than 3.5 cm (Aloe boylei, Aloe ecklonis, Aloe hlangapies and Aloe kraussii), by the large rosettes of erectly spreading, rosulate leaves (up to 43 × 13.5 cm), with copious white tuberculate spots on both surfaces. It is further characterised by the long, sprawling, leafless stems of up to almost 1 m long, which branch at the base and form offshoots along its length. The unbranched inflorescences (0.6-0.8 m high) have dense, capitate racemes (± 12 cm long) with large (± 45 mm long), salmon-pink, rather straight flowers. This is the largest and most robust species of the leptoaloe group, also known as 'slender aloes' Smith et al. 2011).
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include habitat fragmentation and destruction owing to commercial silvicultural and agricultural practices (Johnson et al. 2011).
Distribution. Known from only two localities near Karkloof and New Hanover, in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 28).
Flowering time. January-March.
Habitat. Open rocky grassland. Diagnostic characters. Aloe nicholsii can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe micracantha, Aloe minima, Aloe parviflora and Aloe saundersiae), by the unbranched inflorescences (0.30-0.46 m high) with dense, capitate racemes and pedicels 25-30 mm long. The small flowers (13-16 mm long) are pruinose, greenish below and a metallic salmon-pink above, with a distinctly upturned mouth. The distichous to semi-rosulate leaves (20-46 × 2.0-3.5 cm) are flaccidly spreading and occasionally with a few scattered white spots towards the base, more commonly on the lower surface. Rosettes are usually in dense groups .
Conservation status. Critically Endangered. Threats include habitat degradation due to overgrazing, urban expansion and commercial afforestation (Von Staden 2013).
Distribution. Known from a small area near Babanango in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, South Africa (Fig. 29).
Habitat. On rocky outcrops in flat grassland in hot, low-lying thorny savannah and similar thorny woodland in the Lebombo Mountains.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe parvibracteata can be distinguished from other maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe dewetii, Aloe maculata subsp. maculata, Aloe mudenensis, Aloe prinslooi, Aloe pruinosa, Aloe suffulta, Aloe umfoloziensis, Aloe vanrooyenii and Aloe viridiana) by the rosettes that sucker profusely to form large groups. It is further characterised by the spreading-decurved almost depressed leaves (30-40 × 6-10 cm) that give the rosette a 'flattened out' appearance. Leaves are spotted on the upper surface, while the paler lower surface is usually without spots and marginal teeth are 3-5 mm long. The 4-to 8-branched inflorescence (1.0-1.5 m high) has a very slender (but rigidly erect) peduncle and branches. Racemes are lax, cylindrical-acuminate and 15-30 cm long, with pedicels 6-15 mm long. Flowers are dull to somewhat glossy red or orange, 30-40 mm long and with a globose basal swelling (7-9 mm diameter).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Northern KwaZulu-Natal, eastern Mpumalanga and Limpopo in South Africa, also in Eswatini, southern Mozambique and Zimbabwe (Fig. 30).
Notes. Until recently, Aloe monteiroae Baker was regarded as an insufficiently known species, since its true identity could not be determined with certainty (see Reynolds 1950 andCarter 2001). The discovery of a population of aloes near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, that match the description of A. monteiroae has enabled  to confirm that it is conspecific with A. parvibracteata. However, A. monteiroae is the older of the two names. To avoid nomenclatural disruptions by allowing a previously unknown name to replace one that has for long been in common use for a widespread aloe, a successful proposal was published to conserve the familiar name Aloe parvibracteata and enable its continued use for this aloe Wilson 2017).
Flowering time. January-March.
Habitat. Short grassland, on level or gently sloping areas on the summit of hills, in shallow soil over exposed sloping sandstone rock sheets and in rocky places with thin soil and sparse grass.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe parviflora can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe micracantha, Aloe minima, Aloe nicholsii and Aloe saundersiae), by the distichous to rosulate, spreading, lorate-linear leaves (20-25 × 0.6-0.8 cm) that are distinctly muricate with soft spinulescent white spots on the lower surface. It is further characterised by the peduncle, which has numerous small spines on the lower part. The unbranched inflorescences (0.4 m high) have dense, capitate racemes with pedicels 8-12 mm long and very small, pale rose flowers (8 mm long). Rosettes are solitary.
Conservation status. Vulnerable. Threats include habitat loss and degradation owing to urban expansion, as well as alien invasives, overgrazing and incorrect fire management (L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Confined to a small area between Pinetown and Cato Ridge in central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 31).
Notes. Aloe parviflora is sometimes considered to be conspecific with Aloe minima Baker (Glen and Hardy 2000).
Flowering time. May-June.
Habitat. Succulent thicket vegetation on hillside slopes within a coastal strip and, in the north of its range, along the ecotone of coastal forest pockets.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe pluridens differs from the other tall often singlestemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe candelabrum, Aloe marlothii, Aloe rupestris, Aloe spectabilis and Aloe thraskii) with branched inflorescences, by having narrow (60-70 × 5-6 cm), erectly spreading and gracefully recurved, pale green to yellowish-green, obscurely lineate leaves with small crowded pinkish-white marginal teeth and exudate with a distinct sharp odour. The inflorescence is up to 4-branched with erect, rather lax, conical racemes of 25-30 cm long. Flowers are salmon-pink to orange to dull scarlet or yellow and 40-45 mm long. Note though that the flowers of A. pluridens never take on the bright scarlet colour of some forms of A. arborescens.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. This species has a disjunct distribution range. It occurs from the Humansdorp area to the Kei River Mouth in the Eastern Cape, as well as in the Durban area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa ( Fig. 32; Walker et al. 2019a).
Flowering time. August-December. Habitat. In exposed positions amongst rocks in sloping montane grassland in some of the coldest parts of the southern Drakensberg.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe pratensis can easily be distinguished from other Kwa-Zulu-Natal aloes by being an acaulescent plant with smallish rosettes (± 20 cm diameter) that occurs solitary or in small groups. Leaves (10-17 × 4-6 cm) have pungent reddish-brown marginal teeth (± 5 mm long) and spines on the lower surface that arise from white tuberculate bases. The inflorescence (0.5-0.6 m high) is simple with the peduncle covered in large, imbricate bracts. Racemes are cylindrical and dense and elongates significantly as flowering progresses, although the length of the peduncle stays roughly constant. Flower buds are hidden by large floral bracts. Flowers are cylindrical and rose-red (35-40 mm long).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. It occurs in the central and northern Eastern Cape and along the Great Escarpment and in south-western KwaZulu-Natal along the Drakensberg Mountain Range to Royal Natal National Park, South Africa, as well as Lesotho (Fig. 33).
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include trampling by livestock and too frequent fires. In the past, populations were negatively impacted by illegal collecting (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Limited to an area near Colenso in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, South Africa (Fig. 34).
Habitat. In shade in acacia savannah in KwaZulu-Natal midlands on heavy loam in areas of fairly high summer rainfall.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe pruinosa can be distinguished from other maculate aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe dewetii, Aloe maculata subsp. maculata, Aloe mudenensis, Aloe parvibracteata, Aloe prinslooi, Aloe suffulta, Aloe umfoloziensis, Aloe vanrooyenii and Aloe viridiana) by the tall, ± 11-branched inflorescence (1.4-2.0 m high) with the peduncle and flowers that are very heavily coated with a greyish powdery substance. The flowers, which are dull dark brownish-red to pinkish-white, 30-40 mm long and with a globose basal swelling (8 mm diameter), have the most pronounced powdery-covered leaves and inflorescence of all South African aloe species. It is further characterised by the erectly spreading to slightly recurved leaves (50-70 × 8-10 cm) that are spotted on both surfaces, with the spots more pronounced on the lower surface. Marginal teeth are 3-4 mm long. The lax racemes are cylindrical-acuminate, with the terminal one the longest (up to 30 × 7 cm) and the lateral ones usually 10-12 cm long .
Conservation status. Endangered. Threats include urban expansion and harvesting for use in traditional medicine (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Flowers are bicoloured (outer part of tube orange-red, inner part yellow), 32-40 mm long, tubular and curved, pointing downwards and pressed against the peduncle, with rather long-exserted stamens and style. Leaves are narrow (40-65 × 5-9 cm), arcuateerect, dull green, sometimes with spines on median line of lower surface and with pungent marginal teeth from a distinct white base. Flowering time is in spring.
Conservation status. Vulnerable. Threats include harvesting for medicinal purposes and damage by feeding baboons (Raimondo et al. 2009, L. von Staden pers. comm.).
Distribution. Confined to a small area in the Vryheid District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Fig. 36).
Notes. The typical variety, A. reitzii var. reitzii only occurs in the Belfast District in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Habitat. Zululand thornveld, coastal plain on sandy soils, sometimes dense bush, usually on rocky outcrops. Areas with warm, completely frost-free winters. Usually found in groups amongst trees.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe rupestris differs from the other tall often singlestemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe candelabrum, Aloe marlothii, Aloe pluridens, Aloe spectabilis and Aloe thraskii) with branched inflorescences, by having wide (30-70 × 7-10 cm), erectly spreading to recurved leaves that lack surface prickles and have pungent, reddish-brown marginal teeth. The inflorescence is 6-to 9-branched and rebranched with up to 20 erect, very dense, cylindrical, very slightly acuminate and somewhat truncate racemes of 20-25 cm long. Flowers are almost sessile, lemon-yellow to brownish-yellow and 15-20 mm long. The long-exserted deep orange to dark red stamens and style emerge from the flowers straight (not at an angle as in Aloe thraskii).  ). Distribution. Central to northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, eastern Eswatini and southern Mozambique (Fig. 37).
Diagnostic characters. Aloe saundersiae can be distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with unkeeled leaves that are usually narrower than 3.5 cm and that lack a bulb-like underground swelling (Aloe dominella, Aloe linearifolia, Aloe micracantha, Aloe minima, Aloe nicholsii and Aloe parviflora), by its rosulate, spreading to recurved leaves (4-10 × 0.3 cm) that are without spots or with a few white spots near the base on the lower surface. The unbranched inflorescences (0.14-0.18 m high) have dense, capitate racemes of small, pale pinkish flowers (9-12 mm long), with the mouth slightly upturned and with spreading tips, but not bilabiate. Pedicels are 8-10 mm long. Rosettes are solitary or in small tufted groups.
Habitat. Open grassland on all slope aspects. Diagnostic characters. Aloe sharoniae is distinguished from other grass aloes in KwaZulu-Natal with strongly keeled leaves (Aloe cooperi and Aloe myriacantha) by the distichous leaves (30-44 cm long) that have no marginal teeth in the upper ⅔ and that are basally covered with white tuberculate maculations on the lower surface. It is further characterised by the floral bracts that clasp the pedicels (not flat as in Aloe cooperi). The inflorescence (0.33-0.59 m) is longer than the leaves. Flowers are bright orange-red, yellowish-brown to purplish-brown tipped and 25-35 mm long, with the mouth not bilabiate or upturned.
Conservation status. Least Concern (Von Staden 2014b). Distribution. Sparse. Limited to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Eswatini, although this species may also occur in southern Mozambique (Fig. 39).
Habitat. Wide variety of habitats, including rocky places and open situations in grassland and savannah on hills.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe spectabilis differs from the other tall often singlestemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe candelabrum, Aloe marlothii, Aloe pluridens, Aloe rupestris and Aloe thraskii) with branched inflorescences, by having large (± 100 × 12-15 cm), suberect to spreading, eventually pendent leaves that usually have copious spines on both surfaces and pungent, reddish to brownish marginal teeth. The inflorescence is much-branched and rebranched with erect to suberect, very dense, cylindrical, rather truncate racemes of ± 25 cm long. Flowers are golden-yellow to reddish tinged and ± 32 mm long with the inner segment tips dull to glossy deep purplish-black to black and the exserted portion of the stamens orange (not with purplish segment tips and deep purple filaments as in Aloe marlothii).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Occurs in a small area in west-central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Plants on the farm Bester Schrik, Winburg, Free State, South Africa, 5 km north of the Korannaberg, are a naturalised population (blue on map; Fig. 40) (For more details see .
Habitat. Wide variety of soils and habitats, including steep rocky slopes and cliffs. It is never found in exposed situations in deep soil.
Diagnostic characters. Aloe spicata is one of only two aloes indigenous to Kwa-Zulu-Natal that have sessile campanulate flowers with dark nectar in a simple inflores-cence. It differs from Aloe vryheidensis in often being acaulescent in KwaZulu-Natal or sometimes having erect to decumbent stems (not procumbent), spreading to recurved leaves (not erect) and an erect inflorescence (not oblique). Racemes of Aloe spicata are narrow (4-5 cm wide) with greenish-yellow flowers (not pinkish-brown). The ovary is uniformly green (without red lines).
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo in South Africa, also throughout Eswatini and in southern Mozambique, with an isolated record in Zimbabwe (Fig. 41).
Habitat. Under bushes, in sand with loose humus, on heavy black clay soils or on termite mounds, in very hot places. Very susceptible to cold.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Widespread but infrequent, from northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, through the coastal plains of southern Mozambique, to south-eastern Zimbabwe and southern Malawi (Fig. 42).
Description. Acaulescent plants or rarely with short stem, up to 0.5 m high, erect or procumbent; rosettes solitary, sometimes in small groups. Leaves distichous in young plants becoming densely rosulate, widely spreading to recurved, bluish-green Aloe chabaudii var. chabaudii, Aloe gerstneri, Aloe pratensis, Aloe reitzii var. vernalis and Aloe vanbalenii) by usually having solitary rosettes with leaves always distichous in young plants, becoming densely rosulate. Although other aloes also have distichous leaves when juveniles, this character persists for longer in A. suprafoliata. It is further characterised by having widely spreading to recurved, bluish-green to bluish-grey leaves (30-40 × 5-7 cm) with rather pungent marginal teeth. The inflorescence is erect, 0.6-2.0 m high and simple. The narrow racemes (up to 25 × 10 cm) have a silvery sheen with the flower buds hidden by large rounded silvery green floral bracts (15-20 mm long). Pedicels are erect (14-20 mm). Flowers are rose-pink to scarlet-red, up to 50 mm long and pencil-shaped.
Conservation status. Least Concern ). Distribution. Northern KwaZulu-Natal and just into eastern Mpumalanga in South Africa, as well as Eswatini (Fig. 43).
Habitat. Beach dunes, in almost pure sand in low coastal vegetation or taller bush. Diagnostic characters. Aloe thraskii differs from the other tall, often singlestemmed aloes in KwaZulu-Natal (Aloe candelabrum, Aloe marlothii, Aloe pluridens, Aloe rupestris and Aloe spectabilis) with branched inflorescences, by its strictly coastal habitat and in having long (± 160 × 22 cm), strongly recurved, deeply channelled leaves with small reddish marginal teeth. The inflorescence is 4-to 8-branched with erect, very dense, broadly cylindrical, slightly acuminate and somewhat truncate racemes of up to 25 cm long. Flowers are lemon-yellow to pale orange and ± 25 mm long. The long-exserted yellowish-orange stamens and style emerge from the flower at an angle (not straight as in Aloe rupestris).
Conservation status. Near-threatened. Threats include habitat loss owing to urban expansion along the coast, as well as illegal collecting ). Distribution. Occurs in a narrow coastal strip from the far northern coast of the Eastern Cape into KwaZulu-Natal to just north of Durban, South Africa (Fig. 44).
Habitat. Low-lying sub-tropical open savannah, open grassland and on rocky places for some distance along rivers and watercourses.