Aloe tomentosa

Overview

Aloe tomentosa Deflers is currently accepted by WCVP and is native to Yemen. It is a high-elevation Yemeni aloe with very rigid leaves and densely flowered, woolly inflorescences. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

The leaves are densely arranged in a rosette. [2]

Leaves

Leaves are very hard and rigid, erect to ascending, and broadly deltoid to lanceolate-deltoid. [2, 3]

Leaf surface and margin

The margins carry conspicuous hard, pungent teeth; juvenile leaves can be heavily white-spotted. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is strongly divaricately branched. The pale greenish perianth is densely woolly-tomentose and 25–28 mm long. [2, 3]

Distribution

Current WCVP records “N. Yemen”. McCoy (2019) treats the species as endemic to Yemen. Carter et al. (2011) report it from the western Yemeni highlands, extending south to Turbah and possibly north to Hajjah. [1, 2, 3]

Habitat

McCoy (2019) records steep rocky slopes, tablelands and mountain ravines in the high mountains around the central plateau. Both McCoy and Carter et al. (2011) place frequent or typical occurrences at about 2,400–3,100 m. [2, 3]

Etymology

The epithet tomentosa refers to the conspicuously hairy flowers; Grace et al. (2011) derive it from Latin tomentosus, meaning felted or covered in matted hairs. [2, 4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe tomentosa Deflers [1]
Protologue bibliography: Voyage au Yemen: 211 (1889). [2, 3]
Type locality and type material: Deflers 616 from Jabal Hadhur (an-Nabi Shu’aib), near Bauan, Yemen. McCoy (2019) gives holotype P; Carter et al. (2011) also cite Deflers 616 (P). [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.