Aloe brevifolia is a stemless perennial succulent endemic to South Africa. It is a charming species and may be found in flower during the month of November.

Description
Aloe brevifolia var. brevifolia plants usually form large groups of densely leafy rosettes. Leaves are broadly triangular and greyish green in colour. The upper surface is usually without any spots or spines but the lower surface may have a few soft spines along the upper middle or scattered on the terminal part. It has white thorns on the edge of the leaves. One or two unbranched inflorescences are formed. Large bracts are present along the peduncle, which extend almost to the base. The racemes are cone-shaped and rather sparse lower down, but with the buds densely packed and hidden by the bracts. The flowers are various shades of red or sometimes yellow, tubular in shape but slightly curved, with the stamens protruding slightly from the mouth of the tube.

Distinguishing characteristics
Aloe brevifolia may be distinguished from other dwarf aloes by the combination of the clustered growth form and the relatively broad and thick leaves.

Conservation status
Previously Aloe brevifolia was treated as not threatened. At present it is regarded as Vulnerable, due to its habitat loss to agriculture, degraded by alien infestation and overexploitation by plant collectors.

Distribution and habitat
The species is restricted to the Western Cape Province, and occurs naturally in the districts of Caledon and Bredasdorp, extending eastwards to Swellendam, Riversdale and Cape Agulhas. It is found in areas with a relatively high rainfall of about 400 mm per year and usually grows on clay soil in rocky places. It occurs from near sea level to about 150 m. Plants are sensitive to frost and cannot survive for long under Highveld winter conditions.

Derivation of name and historical aspects
The scientific name was well chosen: brevifolia means “short-leaved.” Based mainly on size and distribution differences, three varieties have been recognized. Largest of the three is var. depressa (from near Caledon) with rosettes of up to 300 mm. It is more spreading and the leaves are usually unspotted or sometimes tuberculate-spotted on both surfaces. The var. postgenita (from between Swellendam and Ashton) is intermediate in size and has longer leaves than the typical variety and its filaments are exserted. Aloe brevifolia belongs to the dwarf aloes group; the flowers of all the species in this group are large in relation to the size of the plants and therefore very showy, which makes them highly sought-after collectors' items.

Ecology
Aloe brevifolia is mainly restricted to Rûens shale renosterveld, which has been classified as critically endangered according to the national spatial biodiversity assessment, as less than 20% of this vegetation type remains intact due to extensive transformation by agriculture. If fire is too hot and occurs in flowering time, the inflorescences will be burnt and no seed will be set. As a protective mechanism, Aloe brevifolia's fire survival strategy is to grow in rocky habitats that often escape the fire due to sparse vegetation cover.

Uses and cultural aspects
Aloe brevifolia is seen as an ornamental plant in dry gardens and is very attractive when flowering.

Growing Aloe brevifolia

It needs full sun to partial shade with a well-drained soil mix. Plants respond to average watering, but they should be allowed to dry thoroughly before watering again as they are susceptible to damping off or rot near the base, therefore plenty of sand should be added, particularly near the surface. Aloe brevifolia is commonly cultivated and thrives in well-drained soil. However it should be borne in mind that it prefers rain in winter and it cannot tolerate temperatures below -4°C. Aloe brevifolia is propagated by removal of offsets or by seed which must be done in warmer months.

References and further reading

• Bornman, H. & Hardy, D.S. 1971. Aloes of South African veld. Voortrekkerspers, Johannesburg.
• Court, D. 2000. Succulent flora of Southern Africa, revised edn. Balkema Publishers, Netherlands.
• Jeppe, B. 1969. South African aloes. Purnel, Cape Town.
• Smith, G.F. & Van Wyk, B. [A.E.]. 2008. Aloes in Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
• Van Wyk, B.-E. & Smith, G. 2003. Guide to the aloes of South Africa, edn 2, first impression. Briza Publications, Pretoria.