Aloe aldabrensis
Aloe aldabrensis
Overview
Aloe aldabrensis is restricted to the Aldabra Archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. It grows mainly in scrub or thickets on limestone, almost at sea level. [1]
Key characteristics
Growth form
It is stemless or has a very short stem, with leaves forming a dense rosette. [1]
Leaves
The leaves are linear-lanceolate to ensiform and green, often tinged orange or red. Their horny margins bear small teeth. [1]
Inflorescence
The inflorescence has 3–5 branches and bears cylindrical, subdensely flowered racemes. [1]
Flowers
The perianth is bright orange-red, and the fruit is a purplish-red, globose-oblong berry. [1]
Distribution
It is recorded from several islands of the Aldabra Archipelago. [1]
Habitat
It occurs mainly in mixed scrub or thickets on limestone, almost at sea level. [1]
Diagnostic features
A source places it closest to A. purpurea, but describes this species as having larger leaves, more widely spaced marginal teeth and longer flowers. [1]
Scientific name and synonyms
- Accepted name
- Aloe aldabrensis (Marais) L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley [1]
Taxonomic treatment
WCVP treats Aloe aldabrensis as an accepted species. [1]
Epithet origin
The epithet aldabrensis (aldabrense in the basionym) refers to its occurrence on Aldabra Island. The held source spells the island name “Albabra”; the place name is normalized here to Aldabra. [2]
References
- Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 465.
- Grace, O.M., Klopper, R.R., Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. p. 9.