Aloe adigratana

Overview

Aloe adigratana Reynolds is a shrubby aloe recorded from northern Ethiopia. It has dull-green leaves, a branched inflorescence with cylindrical-conical racemes, and orange or yellow flowers. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe adigratana Reynolds [3]
Protologue bibliography: Reynolds, J. S. Afr. Bot. 23: 1 (1957). [2]
Synonyms: Aloe eru var. hookeri A.Berger [4, 3]

Etymology

The epithet adigratana refers to Adigrat in Ethiopia. [1, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Shrubby and branching; stems erect or decumbent. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves 16–20, crowded in rosettes, spreading and slightly recurved, ensiform and dull green. [1, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

Pale-green spots occur on both surfaces, especially on the lower third to quarter; the margins bear pungent reddish-brown teeth. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The branched inflorescence has 3–5 racemes; racemes are cylindrical-conical and densely flowered. The perianth is orange or yellow, and the stamens and style are exserted. [1, 2]

Distribution

Tigray floristic region, northern Ethiopia. [1]

Habitat

Rocky places and rocky hills, including sandstone and basement-complex substrates. [1, 2]

Main references

Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 2nd ed.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 625.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online: Aloe adigratana Reynolds (accessed 2026-09-21). Source
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. 7.

Updates

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