Family
Agavaceae
Botanical Name
MANFREDA virginica
Plant Common Name
American Aloe, False Aloe
General Description
Once considered an Agave, Manfreda virginica forms a lovely succulent rosette of smooth, waxy, sword-shaped leaves with undulating edges and sharp tips. A native of the southern and southeastern United States, it naturally inhabits rocky wooded areas and dry thickets where soils are somewhat sandy and alkaline. It is very common in the Ozark Mountains.
The evergreen to semi-evergreen rosettes of false aloe are bright waxy green. From late spring to summer rosettes produce 3 to 5 foot (1 to 1.5 meter) flower stalks with apical branches tipped with tubular gray-green to greenish white flowers. The fragrant blooms are pollinated by sphinx moths. Capsules filled with black seeds follow.
Unlike most succulents, false aloe thrives in eastern gardens if provided drier alkaline to neutral soil with good drainage. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial sun to partial shade making it one of those rare ornamentals for dry shade. It is propagated from seed fairly easily and looks great planted in naturalistic rocky gardens. It can also be grown in containers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
11 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 11
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Plant Type
Cactus or Succulent
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-16" / 30.5cm - 40.6cm
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Width
14"-18" / 35.6cm - 45.7cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Ornamental Features
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Flower Color
Light Green, Gray Green
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Fruit Color
Green, Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
