I thought this was Aloe arborescens (Torch Aloe) but now I'm not so sure. I took these pictures earlier in the summer at Balboa Park in San Diego, Ca. Anyone recognize this particular Aloe?

My guess is Aloe ferox
http://sandiegolandscapedesign...

Angele: Thanks so much!

Your aloe in question looked to have red teeth to me - at least on some of the edges, I can see a red cast. The flower is absolutely beautiful. Now I want one

Yes, there was a reddish cast to some of them; I thought it was from the sun. I took the pic's when we were on vacation in San Diego ... saw so many different types of Aloe and had no clue which ones they were.

hmm ... they sure doesn't look like any of the photo's of Aloe ferox shown in the database: Bitter Aloe (Aloe ferox) now I'm even more

Even a google search brings back a huge variety of images. The Aloe ferox seems to change appearance as it ages getting that trunk and all. I'm not positive but I really think it is the same pant as in the link I posted but the question is ... is that landscaper right?

That's what I'm wondering too ... some landscapers don't have a clue as to correct plant names. I wonder if anyone on the cactus/succulent forum would have suggestions?

Better mark it as un-identified... at least til we have confirmation or.... not

Looks like aloe barbadensis to me...

Few teeth on the edge, and light white spots on the leaf surface seem to be visible in the pic.

There's somewhere in the area of 250-450 different species of aloe, I think without close ups, and more pics, it may be hard to ID it with 100% certainty!

Thanks Sway ... there were Aloe vera (barbadensis) at Balboa Park in San Diego ... but there were many other Aloes too. I agree, probably impossible to identify for sure since many of them look alike.

I uploaded my photo's to the general entry in the database so I'm going to go ahead and close this thread.

After re-reading my post I realized that I didn't make it clear that I don't think it actually is barbadensis, they USUALLY bloom yellow, I'm pretty sure there are red or red/orange blooming forms but I doubt that's it, it could possibly be tho...

Do you have any details that can't be seen in the pic?
Mature ferox can look very similar, but will have teeth on the underside of the leaves.