ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

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sjpearce
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ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by sjpearce »

I bought this Aloe maybe 1.5 years ago now. It was rather small at the time, and not knowing much about them then, I just assumed it would grow into its black spines - but it still doesn't have any and after having a look at some others online, I'm not so sure this is Aloe melanacantha anymore.

I've attached two photos, apologies if the lighting is a bit poor. I know that the flowers help to ID aloes but it hasn't bloomed since I've had it unfortunately, so I know that it may not be possible to get a definite ID.

Am I overthinking it and it's still just a young plant, or is it likely to be something else after all?
20210805_153728.jpg
20210805_153743.jpg
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Stuart
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Re: ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by Stuart »

Aloe Mitriformis looks more likely, Melanacantha is quite distinctive and I've not seen one for sale for quite a while.

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sjpearce
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Re: ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by sjpearce »

Thanks Stuart, that does look a lot more likely than A. melanacantha!
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Re: ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by uzbeck »

Looks like Aloe nobilis to me.
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Re: ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by topsy »

I can understand your doubts but given that this is growing indoors and behind double glazing it is unlikely to develop the black spines at such a relatively young age, The when I saw the offset in the second pic I was sure that this was not a pure melanacantha, I would not expect it to offset so young, none of our three have.

I think it is more likely that one of its parents was melanacantha, in other words I believe it is a hybrid. Its still a handsome plant and will become more so if you can put it outdoors, perhaps next year.

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Re: ID help - Aloe melanacantha?

Post by Herts Mike »

Here’s Aloe melanacantha
39A6B6DA-EB73-4290-8C3C-01434F85952E.jpeg
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