This form of Aloe arborescens used to be known as Aloe "mutabilis" which means changeable or mutable. This refers to the flowers which change colour as they open and to the variability of the species. It has been formally combined under Aloe arborescens to which it has affinities. The leaf margins are armed with harmless, yellowish orange teeth. The shape of the spaces between the teeth is straight, not rounded as with the commonly known Aloe arborescens.