Aloe deltoideodonta var. fallax J.-B.Castillon

Overview

Aloe deltoideodonta var. fallax is currently accepted by WCVP as a variety of Aloe deltoideodonta, a succulent perennial of south-central Madagascar. A 2025 treatment proposes the new combination Aloe albescens var. fallax, but the current WCVP accepted name remains unchanged. [1, 2]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants are solitary or produce 1–2 offsets and are reported in small populations of 2–5 individuals. [2]

Leaves

Leaves are 10–20 × 4–8 cm, triangular or rounded-acuminate, green with conspicuous dark-green or pink-red striping; Carter et al. (2011) report that they become reddish in the dry season. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

Inflorescences are 30–40 cm tall. [2]

Distribution

WCVP places the variety in south-central Madagascar. The 2025 revision records it in Matsiatra Ambony and Ihorombe between Iarintsena (Ambalavao) and Ihosy. [1, 2]

Habitat

It occurs on granitic inselbergs. WCVP places it in the seasonally dry tropical biome as a succulent perennial. [2, 1]

Etymology

fallax is Latin for “deceptive”, referring to the taxon having been mistaken for another species. deltoideodonta refers to the delta-shaped leaf marginal teeth. [4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe deltoideodonta var. fallax [1]
Protologue bibliography: J.-B.Castillon, Succulentes 29(1): 20 (2006) [1]
Type locality and type material: J.-B.Castillon 19; 15.V.2005; HBG. Type locality: granitic hills near Iarintsena, around Ambalavao. [2, 3]
Synonyms: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. fallax (J.-B.Castillon) Rebmann [5, 1]

Aloe horombensis subsp. fallax (J.-B.Castillon) J.-P.Castillon [5, 1]

Parent taxon: Aloe deltoideodonta
Subspecies in the same species: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. amboahangyensis

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. candicans

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. deltoideodonta

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
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
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 219.
Grace, O.M., Klopper, R.R., Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. pp. 46–47.
Castillon, J.-P. (2014). Nouvelles remarques sur l’identité de l’Aloe deltoideodonta Baker … Adansonia 36(2): 221–235. DOI

Updates

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