Call me baffled...

10 years ago

I picked this up at a big box store incorrectly labeled as Aloe humilis. It charmed me, and, despite the aggravation of not knowing its true identity, I bought it, because I knew SOMEBODY here would be able to offer a name.
What can I say? The only thing I'm certain of is that it is a succulent. It grows in a rosette and is starfish-shaped...or, after a couple of cold ones, it starts to look like an octopus. The leaves are very flat and pliable, kind of like a piece of Juicy Fruit gum, if you will. The top of the leaves are striated and small white harmless spines are present. The spines on the underside form a "wave" pattern. The plant is in a 4" pot.
So, what do you guys think? Is this an aloe? Dyckia? Puya? Orthophytum? Or some other type of bromeliad? Looking forward to your comments.

Here is a link that might be useful: Who Can It Be Now?

Comments (7)

kaktuskris
10 years ago
I was thinking Dyckia, but I could be wrong...

Christopher
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
Looks like an Aloe to me, but certainly not humilis. Maybe arborescens, maybe cameronii, or a hybrid of some sort. The white dots, maybe a bit of Gasteria in the mix?

This post was edited by hoovb on Sat, Mar 29, 14 at 19:57
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nomen_nudum
10 years ago
Nothing spiked is harmless on dyckias that I know of
Aloe cameronii ÃÂ maculata ?
Dzitmoidonc
10 years ago
Hmmm. Looks like a Cryptanthus, especially when you write that the leaves are very flat but rippled. Maybe something with C. acaulis as a parent.
pirate_girl
10 years ago
I was thinking Cryptanthus as well, just the particular manner of this rosette & those spiky leaves; looks so starfish-like to me!

Handsome find you've got there, whatever it is.
bob61
10 years ago
I'v seen this plant at Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart. I think it is a Aloe but which one I can't guess. It looks nothing like my Aloe humilis.It's been grown in heavy shade and is very soft leaved. I'll have to grow one out in good light and see what happens.I do like a good mystery.

Bob
seedmoney
Original Author
10 years ago
Everyone!
Thanks for your comments.

Bob! Do you own this? It is so intriguing--at present, it looks like an intergeneric cross of Cryptanthus and Aloe. Mysterious indeed.