Aloe fleurentiniorum

Overview

Aloe fleurentiniorum Lavranos & L.E.Newton is currently accepted by WCVP and occurs in Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is comparatively small, with rough dark-green to brown leaves that are almost entire along the margin. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants are comparatively small. [2]

Leaves

Leaves form a rosette, are lanceolate and spreading, and become slightly recurved with age. [2, 3]

Leaf surface and margin

The leaf surface is rough and dark green to brown, often with raised white chalk-like lines; the cartilaginous margin is almost entire, with teeth absent or sparse. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

Inflorescences are ascending to erect and 35–40 cm tall, with up to six branches. Flowers are nodding when open, and the perianth is cylindrical-trigonous. [2, 3]

Distribution

WCVP lists the species from the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, specifically Saudi Arabia and Yemen. McCoy (2019) records central and northern Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia, including Asir Province. [1, 2, 3]

Habitat

McCoy (2019) records gently sloping hillsides on limestone and several sandstone types, while Carter et al. (2011) record rocky slopes. McCoy also notes a preference for drier east-facing rain-shadow aspects rather than fog-influenced western escarpments. [2, 3]

Etymology

The epithet fleurentiniorum honors Jacky and Martine Fleurentin of France, who first brought the species to the authors’ attention. [2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe fleurentiniorum Lavranos & L.E.Newton [1]
Protologue bibliography: Published in Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 49: 113 (1977). [1]
Type locality and type material: McCoy (2019) and Carter et al. (2011) cite Lavranos 11386 from the Wadi Dhahr entrance north of Sana’a, Yemen, at E; McCoy identifies it as the holotype. [2, 3]
Synonyms: Aloe edentata Lavranos & Collen. [1]

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
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.
Grace, O.M., Klopper, R.R., Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Updates

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