Aloe ID

[Jubaea_James760]

Is this Aloe melanacantha or something else? Has brown spines instead of black & have not seen any yellow soft new spines on new leaves. It doesn't resemble erinacea whatsoever either.

I'm a super novice to aloes but I'm leaning more towards aloe marlothii.  What say you?

[Merlyn]

I'd go with Marlothii or Spectabilis.  At that size I think Ferox might have a couple of spines on the outside/underside of the leaves, but not that many.  If it loses the spikes then it might be Ferox.  I recall there was some dispute on if Marlothii and Spectabilis were the same species or not, I don't know how that got resolved...if ever!

Marlothii:  https://www.agaveville.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=450

Spectabilis:  https://www.agaveville.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=729

Apparently Spectabilis was reinstated as a new species?  I think the key to telling them apart was the white ring around the thorns?

[Jubaea_James760]

Both of these will be major problems where I planted it so out it comes. Thanks Todd! 

In a pot it lives for now😁

[Merlyn]

I'm no expert on aloe IDs either, but another name popped into my head: Aculeata?

https://www.agaveville.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=555

[Tracy]

16 hours ago, Jubaea_James760 said:

Is this Aloe melanacantha or something else? Has brown spines instead of black & have not seen any yellow soft new spines on new leaves. It doesn't resemble erinacea whatsoever either.

I'm a super novice to aloes but I'm leaning more towards aloe marlothii.  What say you?

Definitely looks a little different from my Aloe marlothii.  This is a time series of one I got as a double planted 1 gallon, starting a couple of years after I planted it in 2011, end ending with the one showing the flowers next to the flushing Encephalartos whitelockii x sclavoi.  I transplanted it from my Carlsbad garden because it clearly did not have enough room on the edge of the planter, and it would have grown into what is developing into a nice cycad had I left it.  What strikes m is the difference in the thorn bases.  I'll have to look at photos of my Aloe ferox when young and compare it.

[Tracy]

Your post got me out with the camera to get updated Aloe marlothii photos from my garden, showing some seeds on the spent inflorescence now.

[Jubaea_James760]

@Tracy, very beautiful! I might find another spot in my yard to try the unknown aloe. If it doesn't make, on to the next. I planted it in my mini desertscape "raised bed" full of small stuff. I'm really digging aloes! I'm limited in selection but grateful some could grow in my zone. I planted some experimental stuff I'll post soon. 

I was encouraged seeing your aloe ramosissima in its pot so big & beautiful I had to try one! 

Thank you