The area around the De Hoop Dam abounds in Aloe cryptopoda. Variations in this plant relate to several features, including flower colour, shape and flowering time. The Steelpoort and Burgersfort areas have larger plants with more branching in the inflorescence panicles than the Zimbabwe or Botswana forms. These plants have brought much excitement and joy to the members of Operation Wildflower when legally collecting plants from the Dam basin during the construction phase. The system of plant saving where authorised development will cause their destruction is outlined elsewhere on this website.

The differences between forms of this plant have become even more bewildering since A. wickensii was merged with A. cryptopoda. The existence of natural hybrids in the veld does not make matters any easier. The plants are usually solitary, although small groups formed through division may occur. A mature plant will have around 50 leaves. They are lanceolate, attenuating towards the tips. The upper leaf surface may be deep green, reddish green or blue-green. The inflorescence branches both simultaneously or consecutive with conspicuous triangular bracts at the base of every branching. The perianths are cylindrical and somewhat three-angled. Their tips are slightly green.

The specific epithet cryptopoda means hidden foot, referring to the large bracts that clasp the pedicels of each separate flower (perianth), more or less obscuring it from view (Reynolds, 1974).