This drought resistant, succulent shrub varies from small and stemless to a larger plant with a short, erect stem.
The lanceolate leaves are arranged in dense rosettes and can sometimes curve inward. The leaves are characteristically striped with numerous longitudionally lines along the entire length of the leaf surface. In young plants the leaves are spotted and sometimes the spots stay on mature plants. Pungent reddish brown triangular teeth are found on leaf margins. The leaves are yellowish-green and during dry periods often turn pink or bright reddish-brown.
The flowers are relatively short, tubular and slightly wider towards the mouth and the young buds are hidden by long bracts. The racemes are yellow to greenish-yellow, or sometimes the buds are red and the open flowers yellow, giving it a bicoloured effect. The inflorescence is unbranched and up to 1.2 m high with a single, narrow, oblong raceme. The flowers are pollinated by Sunbirds and small winged and crawling insects.
This aloe is usually found in arid environment, on steep rocky slopes and crevices in Nama and succulent Karoo. It is very difficult to grow in other areas.
The roots and stems serve as food and moisture source for hyraxes (Rock dassies) and Klipspringers.
Size: up to 1.5 m