Aloe spp.

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 5 June 2008 in Plant & Nature.

When it comes to xerophytes I always fail to name the plant correctly. In my humble opinion this should be the inflorescence of an Aloe. And at my next visit there I'll note down that name, for sure!

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Comments (9)

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Hong Kong

Startling detail, color and shape make this image fascinating, MS.

5 Jun 2008 5:21am

@Michael Skorulski: Agaves, Aloes and similar plants produce quite interesting flowers! Thanks, Michael!

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

Very strange flower, don't know it... incredible nature, always sometning to discover !!

5 Jun 2008 8:36am

@Evelyne Dubos: A typical inflorescence for an Aloe. Agaves, Yuccas etc. produce similar flower structures. They always are very attractive.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

That's a lot of flowers, almost like a bunch of orange peppers.

5 Jun 2008 2:23pm

@JoeB: At the beginning the plant grows a stick-like extension that can get very long; one of our Aloes made one of 1m length. The inflorescence then appears at the tip of this structure. It flowers for a few weeks. One Aloe can have several of these inflorescences. Always an amazing sight!

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

What a riot here! The colour is striking and well capured by you as well as the many delicate details! Very interesting angle,too!

5 Jun 2008 3:11pm

@Japanalia: It was the right day for making this photo. As you can see, some of the flowers already started wilting.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Got me thinking of Southwest food and chili peppers.

5 Jun 2008 3:40pm

@Twelvebit: That's funny, but they are not edible at all. Unless you're a bee. :)

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Stunning detail and colour, it's like I could reach into the screen and touch it. An excellent shot MS.

5 Jun 2008 4:28pm

@MaryB: Thank you so much Mary! I made this photo two weeks ago; think they're are already gone by now. But some of my own Aloes and Agaves are starting to flower...

jenniellen from little town, United States

Simply intriguing!!!

5 Jun 2008 6:10pm

@jenniellen: Thanks :) They're coming from South Africa, but are growing well indoors. Maybe something for your home...?

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

Interesting flowers. I find your framing a bit difficult to look at as I don't know where I should look. The upper part is nice but I think I have a preference for the lower part. I would suggest a variation but you could try many other ones: starting from the up-left corner you go down until you reach the blur light green of the plant (the crop is quiet big). From that point cut horizontally and see how you like the lower part.

6 Jun 2008 1:07am

@akarui: Thanks for that, I'll try! Btw, I captured that Butia palm once again and will be trying to get an image as following your suggestions a few weeks ago. Stay tuned :)

Daily Phototherapy from Sacramento, United States

Great colors and texture.

13 Jun 2008 3:46am

@Daily Phototherapy: Unfortunately these inflorescences flower only a few days.

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