Aloe pseudorubroviolacea

Overview

Aloe pseudorubroviolacea Lavranos & Collen. is currently accepted by WCVP and is endemic to western Saudi Arabia. It is usually solitary, with spreading blue-grey leaves and very tall, densely flowered, strongly branched inflorescences. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants are robust and usually solitary, with stems that may become decumbent. [3, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are spreading and usually blue-grey; yellow-flowered plants may have green leaves. [2, 3]

Leaf surface and margin

The leaf margin bears hard white teeth. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

Inflorescences reach 120 cm; racemes are erect, cylindrical and very densely flowered, with red or orange flowers and occasional yellow forms. [2, 3]

Distribution

WCVP places the species in western Saudi Arabia. McCoy (2019) records it from south of Taif along the Great Arabian Escarpment to south of Abha, while Carter et al. (2011) describe a roughly 1,000 km range through the high mountains of Asir and Hijaz. [1, 2, 3]

Habitat

McCoy (2019) records cliff faces, steep hillsides and stony slopes above seasonal watercourses, on soils derived from igneous rocks. [2]

Etymology

The epithet pseudorubroviolacea means “false rubroviolacea”, referring to its resemblance to, but distinction from, Aloe rubroviolacea. [2, 4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe pseudorubroviolacea Lavranos & Collen. [1]
Protologue bibliography: Published in Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 72: 17 (2000). [1]
Type locality and type material: McCoy (2019) and Carter et al. (2011) both cite Collenette 4409 from near Ajalta in Hijaz Province at K. Their directions from Taif differ: south-southeast in McCoy and east in Carter. [2, 3]

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.