Aloe canarina
Aloe canarina
Overview
Aloe canarina is a suckering aloe distributed from north-eastern Uganda into south-eastern South Sudan. [1]
Key characteristics
Growth form
It suckers to form small groups up to 50 cm high, with decumbent stems up to 80 cm long. [1]
Leaves
Leaves form a compact rosette, spreading and recurved, 50–80 cm long and 10–15 cm wide; they are dull greyish-green tinged reddish. [1]
Inflorescence
The inflorescence is erect to 100 cm, with 15–20 spreading branches; lower branches are often twice re-branched. [1]
Flowers
The yellow perianth is cylindrical to trigonous and 25–30 mm long. [1]
Distribution
Its distribution is limited to north-eastern Uganda and just into south-eastern South Sudan; the type locality is west of Loyoro in Uganda’s Karamoja District. [1]
Habitat
It occurs in open deciduous bushland at 1,345–1,570 m elevation. [1]
Diagnostic features
It is close to A. microdonta but differs in its longer, broader leaves, more densely branched inflorescence, and considerably larger yellow flowers. [1]
Scientific name and synonyms
- Scientific name and synonyms
- Aloe canarina S.Carter
Type specimen and type locality
The type specimen is Reynolds 7951 (K, EA, PRE), collected 9.5 km west of Loyoro, Karamoja District, Uganda. [1]
Epithet origin
The epithet canarina derives from the Latin reference to the canary-yellow colour of the flowers. [2]
References
- Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 41.
- 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.