Aloe cryptopoda was
described by English
botanist John Gilbert Baker in 1884 based on a
type specimen from
Mozambique. The
specific epithet cryptopoda is derived from the
Greek words , meaning "hidden" or "covered", and , meaning "foot", in reference to the large
bracts that cover the flower
pedicels. In English, it is
commonly known as Dr Kirk's aloe, spire aloe, or yellow aloe, while in
Nyanja it is known as , , , , or . It is also known as in
Ngoni, in
Sena, in
Shona, and in
Tonga. ==Distribution and habitat==