With its rocks and cliffs Vlakfontein, host farm of Treeferns Trout Lodge, is an ideal habitat for aloes, of which the Aloe perfoliata, family : Asphodelaceae, is the more spectacular. Untill recently this species was also known as Aloe mitriformis.

In its natural habitat the plants have long creeping stems with secondary side shoots.They favour sandstone slabs and rocks and also grow down vertical cliffs, hence the Afrikaans name of “krans aalwyn”.

At Vlakfontein the Aloe perfoliata flower in  May, and the flowers are orange and dull to bright red, cone shaped or mostly poker like.

Reproduction takes place through pollination by sugar birds and ants. Pieces of branch that breaks off also root easily when falling on the ground.

The roots and stems are occasionally eaten by dassies and some small game. However, no record of human use excists.

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