Aloe ankoberensis
Aloe ankoberensis
Overview
Aloe ankoberensis is a pendent shrubby aloe recorded from the Shewa Region of Ethiopia. It grows on steep high-altitude rocky slopes and cliff faces and carries dense rosettes of bluish-grey to green leaves. [1, 2, 3]
Key characteristics
Growth form
The plant is a pendent shrub, mostly unbranched, with stems hanging down cliff faces. [2]
Leaves
Leaves are numerous and densely arranged, 20–30+ cm long and 7–17.5 cm wide, and dull greyish to bluish-green. [2]
Inflorescence and flowers
Racemes are cylindrical and dense. The bright orange-red, cylindrical perianth is 35–40 mm long. [2]
Distribution
WCVP records the species from Ethiopia (Shewa Region). Published accounts place it on the eastern escarpment of Shewa and describe its range as very restricted or not known elsewhere. [1, 2, 4, 3]
Habitat
At 3,000–3,500 m, the species occupies steep to very steep rocky inclines and cliffs, commonly close to watercourses that flow seasonally. [2, 4, 3]
Etymology
The epithet ankoberensis refers to Ankober in Ethiopia, where the type collection was made. [4, 5]
Classification and nomenclature
Main references
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
- Gilbert, M.G. & Sebsebe Demissew (1997). Further Notes on the Genus Aloe in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Kew Bulletin 52(1): 139–152.
- Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 505.
- Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 2nd ed.
- 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. 12.
Updates
Classification, distribution and descriptive information are revised as new sources are verified or taxonomic treatments change.