This is one of Namibia's rarest species of aloe, often growing singly similar in appearance to a true bulbine species, of which it is often confused with. Distribution is restricted to some eastern and northern sections of the Kunene Region, with only 1 small group of plants presently recorded between Opuwo and Ruacana. Leaf bases occur below ground level, in dark soil in lower Kunene depressions, regularly in association with Colophospermum mopane.
Other features include thin, light to dark green leaves which are armed with short, non-threatening thorns, themselves spread far apart. Flowers are usually yellow, but the nearer to Angola the range spreads to orange and a dull red, from February to March. This genus is believed to have been evolved from true lilies, from which it closely resembles.