Introduction
Aloe Polyphylla is one of the world's many spectacular plants. Hidden away in the heights of Lesotho's Drakensberg Mountains it is teetering on the edge of extinction. Most Aloes have evolved to survive in the hot, arid regions of Africa but not the Polyphylla.
Growing on mountain slopes
As the Drakensberg's were being created it was adapting to live in the cool, wet environment found above 2000 metres. Symbiotic relationships were formed to ensure it flourished. Vegatation on the higher slopes soaked up the summer downpours in their peat like roots and released the water in a steady flow throughout the year to keep its roots moist and nourished.
Pollen was carried from plant to plant by its sole pollinator, the Malachite Sunbird, as it feasted on the nectar.
Malachite Sunbird
Photo by Frans Swanepoel Website
Now this fragile environment is being threatened. Overgrazing and burning of the upper slopes is causing their destruction by soil erosion and allowing non-native species to establish, out growing the natural vegetation The once constant flow of trapped water is now erratic. Plant collectors have ravished once plentiful populations and the Malachite Sunbird is reported to be on the decline. The future is looking bleak for the Aloe Polyphylla.
If you are thinking of growing Aloe Polyphylla and looking for advise then this site is aimed at you. I am no expert, in fact I have only been growing the plant, with increasing success, for two years. I have made mistakes but learned from these and am at last seeing my plants starting to flourish.
