From the Transvaal Drakensberg there is an extraordinary jump in the distribution of these plants to the Dwars River area, east of the Leolo Mountains in Sehhukhuneland.
Here the plants are scarce and associated with steep hillsides covered with norite boulders.

The habitat of A. fouriei in the mountains of the Southern Transvaal Drakensberg is the driest occupied by any South African grass aloe.
The area is subject to prolonged and frequent droughts and is also heavily grazed by sheep and goats in many parts.
The plants survive dry times in a state of semi-dormancy producing foliage and flowers after a good rain shower.

The heavy dolomite soil retains a good deal of moisture after rainfall. The niches where the plants grow are well irrigated by water funnelled off the rocks, even after light rain showers.

In some areas which are becoming increasingly over-grazed and arid the aloes are now only found in rocky niches where they are protected from trampling and desiccation.

A. fouriei produces few inflorescens but has a long flowering period. This enables the plants to take advantage of favourable conditions and for there to be some flowering and pollination even during relatively dry summers.

The habits of this species have been studied for some time by Charles Craib and will be included in a book he is presently writing on South Africa's Grass Aloes.

Aloe fouriei growing in a rock crevice of a dolomite cliff near the southern end of the Transvaal Drakensberg.

ALOE NUBIGENA.
Aloe nubigena is a typical cliff dweller on the escarpment cliffs in the Graskop area. The plants grow wedged in rocky crevices and short moss high up on the topmost section of the escarpment cliffs. This is one of the wettest habitats occupied by any South African grass aloe species.

The Graskop area has a high rainfall and also a good deal of mist. The mist swirls up from below condensing as it rises over the A. nubigena habitat. This mist has the same effect for the plants as soft penetrating rain. Mist is a significant factor in sustaining the plants during severe droughts.

A. nubigena only produces a few inflorescences but has a long flowering period. In common with A. fouriei which also characterised by this habit, the plants sucker freely from the base and usually form clumps.

The species is not usually found in thick clumps of moss, thicker than about 20 cms. One of the reasons is that seedlings must anchor themselves firmly to the cliffs and thick moss does not afford the young plant enough purchase.

Most of the seeds are distributed by wind which is ever present around the summits of the cliffs.

ALOE THOMPSONIAE.
Aloe thompsoniae is restricted to the summit of the Wolkberg, the magnificent northern end of the Transvaal Drakensberg. The plants grow on the upper sections of sheer cliffs and also at the edges of large rocks on the mountain summit. The species may also be very numerous in shallow soil patches on large sheets of exposed rock.

The Wolkberg (Cloud Mountain) experiences many misty days during the summer. The condensation from mist swirling around the mountain summit is enough to keep the plants moistered even during periods when there is no rain.

The suckering habit is very well developed in A. thompsoniae. Some clumps with hundreds of stems are encountered in niches where there is enough soil.

A. thompsoniae produces relatively few inflorescences like A. fouriei and A. nubigena, but flowers over an extended period.

Gillian Condy illustrating Aloe nubigena on a cliff top near Graskop in December 2003. This painting will be included in Charles Craib's book "South Africa's Grass Aloes".

CULTIVATION.
The three aloe species are best grown in an acid peaty soil. A good mixture comprises a third riversand, a third sandy soil and a third finely sieved peat. Well rotted acid compost is also as good as finely sieved peat, should peat not be readily available.

The plants are best grown in very light or morning only sunlight. They should be regularly watered throughout the summer growing season.

A. nubigena performs very well when grown in an orchid house with mist sprays.

The three aloe species should be kept relatively dry in the winter and watered occasionally and also lightly during spells of warm weather.

The plants are best propagated by division of the stems during the summer and autumn months. Seeds may also be sown, evenly scattering them over the surface of the same kind of soil mixture in which the adult plants are cultivated. Seedlings should be well watered, but care may need to be taken to prevent "damp off" in the first few months after germination. "Damp off" is best controlled with the use of a copper based fungicide.

THE BOOK "SOUTH AFRICA'S GRASS ALOES"
The Species in Habitat and Cultivation with an account of Chortolirion angolense.

Charles Craib is busy writing this book at present. All the different South African Grass Aloes will feature in the text including the recently described Aloe craibii.

The plants have all been painted in habitat by botanical artist Gillian Condy. The book will also feature pencil drawings of the different grass aloe habitats by artist Murray Ralfe.

A full account of this book, which will be regularly updated until it is published, will feature on the website from late January this year.

Aloe thompsoniae growing at the edge of a litchen blotched boulder, high up on the summit of the Wolkberg.