Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis

Overview

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis is an accepted subspecies of Aloe deltoideodonta in the current WCVP and occurs in southern Madagascar. It was originally described from granitic ground west of Esomony. [1, 2, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Stemless and offsetting, forming many rosettes. [2]

Leaves

Leaves are triangular-rounded; leaf colour and the presence or intensity of white spotting vary. [3, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

Leaf margins bear many small whitish deltoid teeth; the 2025 treatment records marginal teeth/spines as sometimes fused and sometimes separate. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

Each rosette bears one or two unbranched or branched inflorescences. The perianth is orange with whitish tips. [2]

Distribution

It occurs in southern Madagascar; the 2025 treatment records it near Esomony and the original description records it west of Esomony. [1, 3, 2]

Habitat

It is associated with desert or dry shrubland and is recorded on granitic rocky ground around Esomony. [1, 3, 2]

Etymology

The epithet esomonyensis refers to the occurrence of the taxon near Esomony in Madagascar. [4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis Rebmann [1, 2]
Protologue bibliography: Int. Cact. Advent. 84: 30 (2009) [1, 2]
Type locality and type material: Rebmann 16; holotype BR; granite rocks west of Esomony, Amboasary District, Anosy, Madagascar, at 450 m; collected 30 August 2003. [3, 2]
Synonyms: Aloe deltoideodonta var. ruffingiana (Rauh & Petignat) J.-B.Castillon & J.-P.Castillon [1]

Aloe horombensis subsp. ruffingiana (Rauh & Petignat) J.-P.Castillon [1]

Aloe ruffingiana Rauh & Petignat [1]

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Rebmann, N. (2009). Two new subspecies of Aloe from Madagascar. Cactus-Aventures International 84: 24–31.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2025). Révision taxonomique du groupe de plantes du sud malgache appartenant au complexe Aloe deltoideodonta Baker (Asphodelaceae). Adansonia 47(23): 363–376. DOI
Grace, O.M., Klopper, R.R., Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2010). Les Aloe de Madagascar / The Aloe of Madagascar. J.-P. Castillon. 400 pp.

Updates

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