Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Aloiampelos ciliaris group

The Aloiampelos ciliaris (Aloe ciliaris) complex comprises plants with 3(-4) levels of ploidy, distinguished in varieties and forms.

• Aloe ciliaris f. gigas Resende: Pentaploid (2n = 35) has leaves larger than in the other varieties ca. 15-30 cm long, 4 cm broad and 4-5 mm thick.
• Aloiampelos ciliaris (Haw.) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.: Esaploid (2n = 42) has the largest flowers (perianth 28-35 mm long), and the widest distribution in the area. Leaves 7-15(-8) cm, 12-25 mm broad, with ciliate leaf base encircling the stem, projecting outwards like a fringed collar. Distribution: Eastern Cape.
• Aloiampelos ciliaris var. redacta (S.Carter) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.: Tetraploid (2n = 28) sand dunes. Leaf sheath cilia 1-2 mm. Bracts 4-5 mm. Peduncle 12-14 mm. Flowers smaller (21-25 mm long). Intermediate between the other 2 varieties, but not of hybrid origin. Distribution: Eastern Cape.
• Aloiampelos ciliaris var. tidmarshii (Schönland) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.: Diploid (2n = 14) Leaves 7-10 x 1.5-2 cm, sheath cilia minute, less than 1 mm long; Inflorescence racemes sublax; Flowers small 16-25 mm long. Distribution: Eastern Cape.