Aloe omavandae

Climbing ropes and crampons will be needed to observe A. omavandae, as this recently discovered species grows on the inhospitable mountains south of the central section of the Kunene River. Their red flowers hang downwards but turn upwards and from the high cliffs they grow in, they can be easily confused with A. meyeri, A. corallina and A. dewinteri who all have a similar growth form.

This species is believed to have been a natural mix of A. esculenta and A. corallina which occurred hundreds of years ago. Other features include small white dots and very small thorns spread wide apart. Omavanda means 'place of the anthill' in the Herero language. They were found by Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld of the National Botanical Institute of South Africa.