Aloe bellatula aka Madagascar Aloe

Aloe bellatula is a small succulent from central Madagascar. It belongs to the family Asphodelaceae. Kew places its native range at Mount Ambatomenaloha. LLIFLE also records it in the Itremo Mountains near Fianarantsoa. There, it grows on granite outcrops along mountain slopes. Its habitat lies around 4,920 feet [1,500 metres] above sea level. Kew describes its climate as tropical, with a dry season.

The plant has no visible stem and forms tight clumps. New offsets grow from the base of each rosette. A rosette holds about 16 upright, narrow, fleshy leaves. These taper toward their tips and curve inward. LLIFLE's overview gives leaf lengths up to 0.43 feet [0.13 metres]. Its detailed leaf entry gives a conflicting, much larger measurement. The leaves have a shallow groove on top. Their lower sides bulge outward, and both faces bear rough papillae. Pale green spots mark the dark green leaves. Strong light can turn the foliage bronze. Small, pale teeth line the edges but feel more rough than sharp. Despite their rough surface, the leaves remain flexible.

Flower stalks rise well above the low clumps of leaves. They reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] in height. Each plant can produce two or three stalks. Most stay unbranched, though some may branch. Each raceme carries about 35 hanging flowers. The blooms range from coral-red to orange-red, with pale interiors. This mix can make them look pink from farther away. Their shape falls between a tube and a bell. The anthers and style barely extend beyond the flower. Plants flower freely in winter under cultivation. Seedlings may first bloom at two to three years old.

LLIFLE describes this species as easy to grow on a sunny windowsill. It calls for full sun, with light shade in summer. Keep the plant fairly dry and water with care. Too much water can cause rot, above all in winter. The plant is tender and needs protection from frost. LLIFLE suggests winter temperatures around 5–10°C.

Its small clumps and raised flowers suit cultivation on a windowsill. Growers can raise new plants from seeds or offsets. The supplied sources do not establish edible or medicinal uses. They also give no species-level finding on toxicity.