Exploring a "new" Aloe Ridge in the Eastern Cape (Sunday 9 July 2017)

A WhatsApp message from Simon Woodley alerted us to the fact that the aloes at Aloe Ridge in the Izingolweni district in KwaZulu-Natal were flowering. This coincided with our going through a new book on succulents that included sections on Aloe ferox and Aloe candelabrum. Following up with one of the authors of this new succulent book, Neil Crouch, to determine the difference in field characteristics between these two species, we could see that what we had always referred to as Aloe ferox at Aloe Ridge (see last year's post on our visit to Aloe Ridge) was probably the reinstated Aloe candelabrum. Neil kindly sent us a copy of the paper reinstating A. candelabrum but in this paper and in the new succulent book, A candelabrum is described as being a species restricted to the KZN midlands.

Knowing that we had seen many more aloes in the distance on the south bank of the Umtamvuna River when we visited Aloe Ridge last year, we decided it was necessary to visit the Eastern Cape side of the valley to confirm which species of aloe was there - potentially adding to the knowledge of the distribution of A. candelabrum.

We learned that one of the Mzamba Beach Stewards, Wendy Bongwana, had been seconded as an intern to Bizana Municipality and as this was en route to the location where we believed the aloe colony to be, we arranged for her to accompany us on the trip. We were even more fortunate in that her home village is Sikhulu, a community close to our intended destination.

We followed Wendy's directions to Sikhulu but were then uncertain about where to go for the final approach to the edge of the Umtamvuna River gorge, so we stopped near her home and walked a short distance to the edge overlooking the gorge. While we could see aloes on the slopes below us, it was clear that the flowers were over. Scrambling down the slope to one of these, I came across a Blepharis integrifolia in flower.

Blepharis integrifolia

Having taken some photos of the flowerless aloes, we walked back to the vehicle. I noticed an aloe in a garden which had remnants of flowers on one spike - as this house belonged to Wendy's aunt, there was no problem in getting access and more photos. We then decided to try a different road to get closer to the area we had seen from the KZN side of the gorge. On the way we saw some more aloes in flower in another garden and were again able to get access with Wendy's kind intervention. Both of these garden plants were A. candelabrum and we ascertained that they originally came from the slopes on the Umtamvuna River valley.  

The next road we tried took us to the right area and fortunately we were soon amongst aloes in their natural habitat - and, even better, many were still flowering. It did not take us long to find that one of the distinguishing characters of A. candelabra, namely the flared tips to the flower tube, was present. As is the case for the aloe population on the KZN side of the gorge, there is a wide range of flower colours - from a bright red through salmon, orange, yellow to white, making for an impressive sight.

We were able to collect representative material so that the identity of these aloes can be verified and the distribution data included.

Aloe candelabrum

Kate and Wendy amongst some Aloe candelabrum

Aloe candelabrum showing the flared tips to the flower tubes

Aloe candelabrum

Aloe candelabrum - an almost jade-coloured tinge to the white flowers

Low on the ground amongst the hardy shrubs were a few Macledium zeyheri.

As the access to this site is much easier than the trip to the KZN Aloe Ridge, it is likely we will be back - perhaps a little earlier - next year. There may even be some modest tourist potential that could be worth exploring. Thanks to Wendy's local knowledge, this trip was a great success.

Macledium zeyheri

The view across the Umtamvuna River with KZN Aloe Ridge in the background, 
and the Umtamvuna River gorge below

A multitude of A. candelabrum surrounding the rural community

References:

Smith G F, Crouch N R, and Figueiredo E. Field Guide to Succulents in Southern Africa. Struik Nature. 2017

Smith G F, Klopper R R, Crouch N R, and Figueiredo E. Reinstatement of Aloe candelabrum A.Berger (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae), a tree-like aloe of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Bradleya 34/2016. Pages 59 to 69. 

Participants: Graham G, Kate G, Wendy B.