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The Zimbabwe aloe (Aloe excelsa) belongs to Liliaceae (the Lily family). It is an evergreen shrub that is native to southern Africa. It grows on steep rocky slopes and in mountain acacia (Brachystegia glaucescens) forests at elevations of 450 to 1500 m, reaching a height of 5 to 6 m. It has a single trunk, which is covered throughout with the remains of dead leaves. The leaves are arranged in a dense rosette at the top of the stem. The leaves are dark green, fleshy, and covered with numerous spines. In spring, several flower stalks emerge from the upper part of the stem, bearing orange flowers in spike-like inflorescences.
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