Hierarchically structured ZSM-11 zeolites composed of numerous nanorods can be generated by employing TBA(+) as a template in the Al species containing systems. Herein, we report on the positive function of Al species on the formation of the hierarchical morphology of ZSM-11. To reveal the influence of Al species on the crystal morphology, a recrystallization process was conducted after adding Al species into a well crystallized silicalite-2 mixture and the evolution process was tracked by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR and N-2 adsorption. It has been found that the presence of Al species has a great influence on the behaviour of TBA(+), which causes a certain amount of TBA(+) adhered on the surface of the newly formed Si-Al framework fragments to suppress the aggregation of fragments to form a large single-like crystal. These results have improved our cognition on the mechanism of hierarchical ZSM-11 crystallization and may contribute to the preparation of materials with controlled morphology. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.