Aloe versicolor var. steffaniana

Overview

Aloe versicolor var. steffaniana is an accepted variety of Aloe versicolor from southeastern Madagascar, recorded as a succulent perennial or chamaephyte. Its basionym is Aloe steffaniana Rauh. [1]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Usually solitary, with a stem about 15 cm long. [2, 3]

Leaves

Leaves form a dense rosette and reach up to 35 cm long and 3.5 cm wide; they are mid-green. [3, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

Leaf margins bear small, deltoid, pale-yellow teeth. [3, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is simple and reaches 80 cm; racemes are subcapitate, about 7 cm long, and the 35 mm perianth is reddish at the base and creamy white above. [3, 2]

Distribution

The variety occurs in southeastern Madagascar. [1]

Habitat

Its biome is classified as desert or dry shrubland. The protologue records it from bare granite rocks near the coast at 50–100 m elevation. [1, 3, 2]

Etymology

The varietal epithet commemorates Steffanie Paulsen, the horticulturalist responsible for the Madagascar collection at Heidelberg Botanical Garden. [4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe versicolor var. steffaniana [1]
Basionym: Aloe steffaniana Rauh [1]

Parent taxon: Aloe versicolor
Sibling variety: Aloe versicolor var. versicolor

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 254–255, 708.
Rauh, W. (2000). Aloe steffaniana Rauh spec. nov., eine neue Art aus Madagaskar. Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 51(3): 71–74.
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. 163.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2016). Comments on Aloe versicolor Guillaumin subsp. steffanieana (Rauh). CactusWorld 34(2): 111–115.

Updates

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