Aloe myriacantha (Haw.) Schult. & Schult. f.

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Aloe myriacantha

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road, Nyanga, S of Claremont kiosk

Aloe myriacantha

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road, Nyanga, S of Claremont kiosk

Aloe myriacantha

Photo: Bart Wursten
Road, Nyanga, S of Claremont kiosk

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Bowiea myriacantha Haw.
Common names: Grass aloe (English)
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Small succulent perennial herb, solitary and not suckering. Leaves in a basal rosette, up to 15, erect, grass-like, up to 40 cm long, linear, fleshy, bright green, purple-brown and densely white-spotted near the base; margins with numerous, small white teeth. Inflorescence capitate, many flowered. Flowers pendulous, two-lipped, pale green to dull purple-brown.
Type location:
South Africa, Cape Province
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: myriacantha: with countless spines
Habitat: In sub-montane grassy slopes.
Altitude range: (metres) 1300 - 1600 m
Flowering time:Feb - Apr
Worldwide distribution: From Burundi, Rwanda to Kenya and South to South Africa.
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Carter, S. (2001). Aloaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(3) Page 57.

Champluvier, D. et Maquet, P. (1988). Liliaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume IV Page 29. (Includes a picture).

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 5.

Geerinck, D.J.L. (2015). Asphodelaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale Nouvelle Serie Jardin Botanique Meise, Belgique Pages 15 - 17.

Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 161.

Kimberley, M.J. (2003). Miniature Aloes in Zimbabwe Excelsa 20 Pages 57 - 58. (Includes a picture).

Lane, S.S. (2004). A Field Guide to the Aloes of Malawi Umdaus Press, Hatfield South Africa. Page 5. (Includes a picture).

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 84.

Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 58.

West, O. (1974). A Field Guide to the Aloes of Rhodesia. Longman, Salisbury Pages 40 - 41. (Includes a picture).


Other sources of information about Aloe myriacantha:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Aloe myriacantha
Flora of Malawi: Aloe myriacantha
Flora of Mozambique: Aloe myriacantha
Flora of Zimbabwe: Aloe myriacantha

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Aloe myriacantha
African Plant Database: Aloe myriacantha
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Aloe myriacantha
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Aloe myriacantha
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Aloe myriacantha
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Aloe myriacantha
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Aloe myriacantha
JSTOR Plant Science: Aloe myriacantha
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Aloe myriacantha
Plants of the World Online: Aloe myriacantha
Tropicos: Aloe myriacantha
Wikipedia: Aloe myriacantha


Copyright: The Rwanda flora team, 2024-26

The Rwanda flora team (2026). Flora of Rwanda: Species information: Aloe myriacantha.
https://www.rwandaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=114000, retrieved 18 June 2026

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