Plant
Aloe spinosissima
Aloe spinosissimaAlso known as Gold Tooth Aloe, Spider Aloe
Spider aloe forms dense, dramatic clumps of arching, fleshy leaves bordered by pale, firm teeth that give each rosette a distinctive spiny silhouette. During late autumn and winter, established mounds send up torch-like spikes packed with tubular, bright orange-red blossoms that draw nectar-feeding birds and bees. Bred from a cross between the tree-like krantz aloe and the compact hedgehog aloe, it combines drought resilience with a vigorous, ground-covering habit.
SucculentDrought-TolerantWinter-Blooming
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Snails
- Scale insects
- Mealybugs
ThreatsSevere frost, overwatering, and fungal rot
HabitatsArid gardens, Mediterranean landscapes, and rocky slopes
Life span20–50 years
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsphodelaceae
- GenusAloe
- SpeciesAloe spinosissima
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Foliage contains aloin and saponins; toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.
- Why it is dangerous
- Sap contains anthraquinone glycosides like aloin, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy if eaten by dogs or cats.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its low, spreading rosettes of fleshy green leaves edged with pale golden teeth and tall orange-red flower torches.
- What to do
- Grow out of reach of household pets and wash hands after pruning bitter latex from broken foliage.
Responsible observation
- Pruning: Snip off spent flower stalks at the base to encourage clean rosette growth.
- Watering: Let soil dry out completely between soakings to prevent basal and root rot.
- Pet Safety: Keep potted specimens elevated away from browsing pets.
Parent Species (c) Ton Rulkens, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Parent Species (c) Andrew Hankey, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Andrew Hankey · cc-by-sa
Same Genus (c) Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Same Genus (c) desertnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by desertnaturalist · cc-by
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