Aloe ferox or the bitter aloe grows from the Western Cape as far as Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. These northeasterly plants, previously known as A. candelabrum are somewhat different in appearance. Up to twelve racemes make up a panicle, the central ones taller than those in the perifery. Flower colours include creamy pink, orange and orange-red. The inner perianth segments have white borders.

This plant was photographed in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden to the west of Johannesburg, where it presents a strong argument with many other plants in support, for people to visit any time of the year (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Jeppe, 1969).