Means “goddess” in ancient Sanskrit, for its reputed use as a beauty aid; some sources suggest that the name comes from Alloeh, meaning “shining bitter substance”
The species excelsus means "tall" or "high."
This aloe is native to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and northwestern South Africa, at elevations
of 1476-5249′ (450-1600 m). It is not
found in the wild in North America.
Identification: These aloes appear atop trunks
9½-20′ (3-6 m) tall. Dead leaves cover all but the bottom of the trunk. Dark green leaves at the top
can reach 3′ (1 m) in length and up to 1″ (3 cm) in thickness. Flowers are tall spikes,
in groups of 10-15, that are dark red
or red-orange. Flowering is July-September.