Aloe lavranosii

Overview

Aloe lavranosii Reynolds is a mostly stemless aloe of interior southwestern Yemen, occurring singly or in small groups. Its leaves are ascending to spreading, and the flowers range from yellow to dark red. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Usually stemless and solitary, occasionally branching to form a small group. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are ascending to spreading, deltoid and tapering, with an acute apex. [1, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

Leaf surfaces are smooth, with the upper surface green to grey-green. The brown to reddish-brown cartilaginous margin bears sharp deltoid teeth. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Inflorescences are ascending to erect, paniculate, branched and rebranched. Flowers range from yellow through orange and scarlet to dark red, and from glabrous to forms with long wavy hairs. [1, 2]

Distribution

Widespread in the Aden hinterland of southwestern Yemen, from the Lawdar–Al-Mudiyah plains towards Aqaba Thriah Pass, Yaffah and Dhala. [3, 1, 2]

Habitat

It favours deep alluvial silty soils but also grows on basaltic and basement-complex substrates, silty flats and low rocky outcrops. McCoy (2019) gives 800–1,500 m, Carter et al. (2011) 800–1,400 m. [1, 2]

Etymology

The epithet lavranosii honours John J. Lavranos, who discovered the species and contributed extensively to knowledge of the flora of Arabia. [1, 4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe lavranosii Reynolds [3]
Protologue bibliography: Published in Journal of South African Botany 30: 225 (1964). [3]
Type locality and type material: The type is based on collection 1890, gathered north of Dhala in the Amiri Highlands on 25 August 1962. McCoy (2019) gives Lavranos 1890, holotype PRE and isotype K; Carter et al. (2011) cite Lavranos & C. C. C. Meintjies 1890 (PRE, K). [1, 2]
Synonyms: Aloe doei Lavranos [3]

Aloe doei var. lavranosii Marn.-Lap. [3]

Aloe splendens Lavranos [3]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 370–371.
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. pp. 86, 145, 182.

Updates

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