Aloe jucunda
Aloe jucunda
Overview
Aloe jucunda occurs in northern Somalia and is acaulescent or has a very short stem, forming dense groups by suckering. Its broadly ovate-acuminate leaves are spreading, with the tips sometimes slightly recurved, and bear numerous pale spots; the simple inflorescence bears rather lax, nodding, pink cylindrical flowers. [1] [2]
Key characteristics
Growth form
Acaulescent or with a very short stem, producing suckers and forming dense groups. [2]
Leaves
Leaves are densely rosulate and broadly ovate-acuminate; they are spreading, with the tips sometimes slightly recurved. [2]
Leaf surface
Leaves bear numerous pale-green to dull-white lenticular spots; the lower-surface spots are smaller and more numerous than those above. [2]
Flowers
The inflorescence is simple and the raceme rather lax. Open flowers are nodding, with a pale rose-pink cylindrical perianth. [2]
Distribution
Northern Somalia. Later specialist sources place it around Gaan Libah in Hargeisa District and describe it as a narrow endemic known from three localities within an area about 30 km across. [1] [3] [4]
Habitat
It is recorded from open places on the upper edge of a dry, windswept escarpment and from residual juniper forest near the upper northern edge of the Gaan Libah plateau, sometimes sheltered by Buxus hildebrandtii or large junipers. [2] [3]
Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted name
- Aloe jucunda Reynolds [1]
- Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted at species rank; first published in J. S. African Bot. 19: 21 (1953). [1]
- Type
- Reynolds (1953) cites P.R.O. Bally 7157 collected at Gaan Libah and records the cultivated plant that flowered in Johannesburg on 31 January 1953 as Reynolds 6223 (type), National Herbarium, Pretoria. [2]
Etymology
The epithet jucunda refers to the attractive appearance and is derived from Latin jucundus, “nice”. [5]
References
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
- Reynolds, G.W. (1953). A New Aloe from Somaliland Protectorate. Journal of South African Botany 19: 21–23.
- Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 397.
- Walker, C.C. & Mace, S. (2019). Aloe erensii, Aloe jucunda and a new cultivar. CactusWorld 37(1): 13–19.
- 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. 80.