Aloe neoqaharensis

Overview

Aloe neoqaharensis is a shrubby aloe endemic to Jabal Qahar in south-western Saudi Arabia, branching from the base to form clumps. It has dull grey-green leaves and cylindrical racemes with reddish-orange flowers that have a yellow mouth. [1, 2]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Shrubby, branching from the base to form clumps. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are 50–60 cm long, with a dull grey-green upper surface. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Racemes are cylindrical. The perianth is 30 mm long, reddish-orange with a yellow mouth. [1, 2]

Distribution

Endemic to Saudi Arabia and currently known from Jabal Qahar. [1, 2]

Habitat

It grows on steep calcareous Nubian sandstone slopes in relict juniper forest, in a narrow altitudinal band around 1,800 m. [1]

Etymology

The epithet neoqaharensis refers to Jabal Qahar and uses Greek neos, “new”, because qaharensis was already in use for another aloe name; the suffix -ensis indicates place of origin. [1, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe neoqaharensis T.A.McCoy [4]
Protologue bibliography: Published in Excelsa 21: 5 (2007). [1]
Type locality and type material: The type is reported as McCoy 2144 from near the summit of Jabal Qahar, Asir Province, Saudi Arabia, with the holotype at MO. Carter et al. (2011) give the type-locality/summit altitude as 2,100 m. [1, 2]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 249–253.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 582–583.
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. 109.
World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).

Updates

Classification, distribution and descriptive information are revised as new sources are verified or taxonomic treatments change.