Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. candicans

Overview

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. candicans is an accepted subspecies of Aloe deltoideodonta in the current WCVP and is a succulent perennial occurring in south-central Madagascar. It is based on Aloe deltoideodonta var. candicans from 1926 and was published at subspecies rank in 2009. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

It offsets freely and forms large dense clumps to stands of several dozen plants. [3, 4]

Leaves

Leaves are triangular and fleshy, described as blue-turquoise to pink with faint longitudinal striae. [4]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is simple or 1–2-branched, with cylindrical-conical racemes. [2, 3, 4]

Distribution

It occurs in south-central Madagascar, with records from Betsileo from northwest of Fianarantsoa to Zazafotsy, around Ankaramena, and around Ikalamavony. [1, 2, 3, 5, 4]

Habitat

It grows on granite outcrops, whale-backs, granitic inselbergs and flat rocks; Carter et al. (2011) record it at 660–800 m. The current WCVP biome is seasonally dry tropical. [1, 3, 4]

Etymology

The epithet candicans comes from Latin candicans, “becoming white”, referring to the white bracts. [6, 5]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. candicans (H.Perrier) Rebmann [1, 2, 3]
Protologue bibliography: Int. Cact. Advent. 84: 24 (2009) [1, 2, 3]
Type locality and type material: Perrier de la Bâthie 11026; lectotype P00398877 (P), isolectotype P00398876 (P). Mont Amboloandro near Zazafotsy, 800 m, III.1912. [5, 4]
Basionym: Aloe deltoideodonta var. candicans H.Perrier [4, 1]
Synonyms: Aloe horombensis subsp. candicans (H.Perrier) J.-P.Castillon [4, 5, 1]

Parent taxon: Aloe deltoideodonta
Sibling subspecies: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. amboahangyensis

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. deltoideodonta

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Rebmann, N. (2009). Two new subspecies of Aloe from Madagascar. Cactus-Aventures International 84: 24–31.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 218–219, 706.
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
Castillon, J.-P. (2014). Nouvelles remarques sur l’identité de l’Aloe deltoideodonta Baker … Adansonia 36(2): 221–235. 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. p. 46.

Updates

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