Aloe gerstneri - 3ga

Aloe gerstneri is endemic to South Africa and grows as individual, rounded rosettes, reaching up to 1 meter in height. The leaves of this succulent plant grow in clusters of 20 to 30 and are up tp 24in long and  ~ 3-4in wide, tapering to a point, with smooth grey-green upper surfaces and either flat or slightly curved. Young leaves have spiky teeth along the margins, which disappear in mature plants. In late summer, the plant produces an inflorescence with orange flowers that are visited by various pollinators such as butterflies, beetles, bees, and small birds.

The Aloe gerstneri is considered a rare and range-restricted species, only found in central KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, within the KwaZulu-Natal Highland Thornveld. It was named after Rev. F.J. Gerstner, who first discovered the species in 1931.

The species is listed as Endangered on the South African National Biodiversity Institute's Red List, due to threats of habitat loss, degradation, and overgrazing. Aloe gerstneri is not a widely known garden ornamental, but can occasionally be seen in gardens.