The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Common name: Giant Tree Aloe, Soft-tip Forest Aloe, אלווי בארבר, אלווי ברבר

Family: Asphodelaceae (Asphodel)

Synonym: Aloe bainesii

Distribution: NE to SE South Africa

Habitat: In altitudes from 150-600 m, in low forests, sandy soil

Life form: Succulent tree

Usage: Ornamental

Etymology: According to one theory, the genus name Aloe originates in Arabic and means "bitter", due to the plants' bitter sap. The species is named after Mary Elizabeth Barber (1818-1899), who was a naturalist, and collected plants in South Africa

Uses: Ornamental

In memory: of Nizza Yaffe-Ovadia, a teacher of nature and life.

Description: 10-18 m high plant with spreading branches, 2-5 m high trunk, dull green leaves with whitish, sometimes brown toothed margins, 60 cm tall, pale-yellow to orange-yellow or salmon-pink inflorescence with 2 to 4 branches. The largest tree aloe. Named in honour of the plant collector Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Barber.