
Aloe
peglerae is a small, stemless aloe, which grows on the north
facing slopes of the Magaliesberg and Witwatersrand. These plants
often occur in a small group. The leaves are greyish-green in color
and tend to curve inward. The leaf margins of new growth have whitish
spines as opposed to the reddish brown spines on older leaves. The
backs of the leaves have spines midway from the base to the top.
Aloe peglerae flowers in winter (July and August). This plant
often has single flower stalk. The flower buds are dull red with
purplish stamens protruding from the flower tube. The flowers are
apparently pollinated by birds, bees and wind.
This aloe species was named after an early plant collector, Alice
Pegler.
This aloe is endemic to South Africa occurring only in Gauteng
and one other province (North-West province). It is listed in the
Red Data list of South Africa as an endangered species on the extinction
queue if not protected or grown for ex-situ conservation.
The greatest threat to this plant is caused by over collection in
the wild by plant collectors and developments along the ridges where
the plants occur. Currently at Witwatersrand National Botanical
Garden, Aloe peglerae is a priority in the threatened plant
program (ex-situ conservation) in collaboration with the Gauteng
Nature Conservation Department. It is illegal to collect this plant
from the wild. If you wish to grow this plant for conservation purposes,
please contact the Gauteng Nature Conservation Dept.
Growing Aloe peglerae
In
cultivation Aloe peglerae makes a stunning show especially
in winter when there is little else in flower. The plants look good
when planted in groups of three to five in natural grass vegetation
as they appear in the veld. They can also be grown in large pots
or in a rockery, if the drainage is good, but be warned - they are
slow growing. Keeping them dry in winter helps to keep the plants
healthy.
This aloe can be propagated from seed. Depending on
the viability of seed the germination rate is often up to 60-70%.
Seeds must be sown in the well-drained growth media and covered
lightly with the fine silica sand.
Like most other aloes, this species is also susceptible to white
scale, aloe cancer (also known as aloe gall) and aloe rust. It is
not that easy to control the aloe gall, the best way is to cut off
the infected leaf and treat the whole plant with insecticides and
fungicides afterward. The same treatment applies for controlling
rust.
References
- Jeppe, B. 1969. South African aloes. Purnell, Cape Town.
- Reynolds, G.W. 1950. The aloes of South Africa. The trustees
of the aloes of South Africa Book Fund, Johannesburg.
- Van Wyk, B.E & Smith, G. 1996. Guide to the Aloes of South
Africa. Briza, Pretoria.
Thompson T Mutshinyalo
Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden
February 2002
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