Gonialoe variegata

Overview

Gonialoe variegata is a stemless succulent that is solitary or suckers to form small groups. The leaves are trifarious, lanceolate-deltoid and V-shaped in cross-section. They occur in shades of green with numerous whitish spots and lines, and the margins are white. The inflorescence has up to two branches and the racemes are laxly flowered. The perianth is mainly in shades of red, cylindrical and decurved. [1]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Stemless; solitary or suckering to form small groups. [1]

Leaves

Leaves are trifarious, lanceolate-deltoid and V-shaped in cross-section. [1]

Leaf surface

Leaves occur in shades of green with numerous whitish spots and lines and white margins. [1]

Inflorescence

The inflorescence has up to two branches and the racemes are laxly flowered. [1]

Flowers

The perianth is mainly in shades of red, cylindrical and decurved. [1]

Distribution

WCVP gives the range as southwestern Namibia to the Free State. Carter et al. (2011) describe the species as widely distributed in the Karoo, Bushmanland and southwestern Namibia. [2] [1]

Habitat

Carter et al. (2011) record the species under arid conditions of unreliable rainfall. [1]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Gonialoe variegata (L.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning [2]
Classification and nomenclature: Accepted at species rank; the combination was published in Syst. Bot. 39: 69 (2014). The basionym is Aloe variegata L. [2] [1]

Etymology

The epithet variegata refers to the spotted leaves and derives from the Latin variegatus, meaning variegated. [3]

References

Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
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. 159.
Hanáček, Klak & Bruyns (2023), South African Journal of Botany 159: 653–657. DOI