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Descrizione
Foglie verde scuro ornate con caratteristiche macchie bianche e bordate da denti bruni. le foglie prendono facilmente una tinta rossastra in pieno sole e in condizioni di stress. Family: Asphodelaceae Scientific name: Aloe saponaria var. saponaria Origin: Widespread in the arid regions from Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to Zimbabwe and Botswana. Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2. Vernacular names include: Soap aloe, Zebra aloe
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Description: Soap aloe grows in a (usually) stemless, clumping rosette, that often overgrown in succulent gardens. The main rosette gets up to 30/45cm tall and just as wide. The lance-shaped leaves are thick pale green spotted (with linear spots- almost streaked) foliage sometimes has reddish tinge and 25-30 cm long. The leaf margins are armed with prominent dark brown teeth.
NOTE: The sap from the juicy leaves makes suds in water and can be used as a soap substitute, but contrarily to the medicinal A. barbadensis (A. vera), its sap should not be used on the wound skin, as it is irritating and can provoke dermatitis in sensitive people. | |
Cultivation: Very easy to grow and adaptable need a mineral soil with good drainage. Propagation: By division of offshoots that develop around the outside of the main rosette in spring or by seed. Fresh seeds germinate quickly at 18°C. | |
Uses: Gardening: This aloe can be grown in large, rocky, well-drained soil in gardens in drier areas. It is very drought resistant but susceptible to frost. Aloe saponaria adapts well to a variety of soils and climates. It makes an excellent ground cover, grows best in a sunny position and makes a long lasting cut flower. | |
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