Aloe tewoldei

Overview

Aloe tewoldei is a caulescent shrubby aloe known from Ethiopia, where it hangs from limestone cliffs. It has narrow grey-green leaves with obscure spotting and very lax racemes. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

A small caulescent shrublet with stems up to 50 cm; the stems are sprawling or pendulous. [1, 2, 3]

Leaves

Leaves are oblong-lanceolate, subterete and grey-green, with obscure spotting. [1, 2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is simple and unbranched, with a very lax raceme. The 20 mm perianth is orange-toned with a greenish tip. [1, 2, 3]

Distribution

The species is recorded from Ethiopia, with certain records from Harerge and a possible record from Bale. [4, 1, 2, 3]

Habitat

It grows on limestone cliff faces, with plants hanging from the rock. [1, 2, 3]

Etymology

The epithet tewoldei honours Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-Egziabher, an Ethiopian botanist and ecologist associated with leadership of the Ethiopian Flora Project. [5, 1, 2, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe tewoldei M.G.Gilbert & Sebsebe [4]
Protologue bibliography: Gilbert & Sebsebe (1997), Kew Bulletin 52: 143. [4]
Type locality and type material: Type locality: south of Asbe Teferri in Harerge Region. Collector: Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-Egziabher; Kew accession 219–76.01591; holotype K. [2]

Main references

Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 2nd ed.
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.
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.

Updates

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