Gasteria carinata aka Roundtip Aloe

Gasteria carinata is a succulent from South Africa. Its common name is keeled ox-tongue. It lives for many years and belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. Its home range lies in the southern and southwestern Cape. LLIFLE places it between Mossel Bay and the Cape region. It grows south of two mountain ranges: Riviersonderend and Langeberg. Kew calls its climate subtropical. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant looks like an aloe and forms dense clumps. Its shoots may stand upright or lean along the ground. New shoots grow from the base. They spread through stems called stolons. Clumps stand about 0.1–0.6 feet [0.03–0.18 metres] tall. They spread about 0.5–2.6 feet [0.15–0.8 metres] across. The leaves have a dull green base colour with speckles. Their size and shape vary, as do their marks and feel. The way plants grow also varies. Plants of this species need not look alike. All these traits show its wide range of natural forms.

In the wild, it grows on hills and in river valleys. It also takes root on steep rock shelves. Many groups grow on shale and sandstone. Some grow on limestone. Its home sites include dry fynbos, with herbs and scattered shrubs. Plants often grow beneath bushes for shelter. These bushes include Carissa bispinosa. Other plants grow in more open spots. Small groups blend into the plants around them. The species grows from near sea level to about 984 feet [300 metres]. These sites get about 300–500 millimetres of rain each year.

Rain falls in both winter and summer within its range. Summer tends to bring drier spells, hot days, and cool nights. Winters stay mild, though light frost occurs at times. These wild sites do not prove a firm garden hardiness limit. Nor do they give a tested plan for water or light.

In spring, the clumps bear pink-toned flowers in racemes, or flower clusters. The supplied species account gives no facts about fruit. It also gives none about which animals pollinate the flowers. The low clumps, spotted leaves, and flowers give the plant visual interest. The evidence does not show food uses or uses as medicine. Nor does it show safety for pets and people. It gives no account of pests or diseases for this species.