Aloe saudiarabica

Overview

Aloe saudiarabica is endemic to southwestern Saudi Arabia. It offsets from the base to form small groups, with erect dull grey-green leaves and yellow or red flowers. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe saudiarabica T.A.McCoy [3]
Protologue bibliography: Excelsa 21: 6 (2007) [3]
Type locality and type material: Saudi Arabia, southwest of Muhayil; McCoy 2744; holotype: MO. [1, 2]

Etymology

The epithet refers to the species occurring exclusively in Saudi Arabia. [1, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants offset from the base to form small groups, with rosulate, erect leaves. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves reach up to 85 cm long and about 12 cm wide at the base, and are dull grey-green. A few elliptical white spots may occur near the leaf base. [1, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

The leaf margin bears uncinate teeth that are white with brown tips, spaced 10–15 mm apart. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is erect and reaches up to 100 cm. Racemes are erect and sublaxly flowered; the perianth is yellow or red and 27–31 mm long. Anthers are exserted by about 1 mm and the stigma by 3–4 mm. [1, 2]

Distribution

Endemic to Saudi Arabia, with several scattered populations in the southwest between the Tihama lowlands and below the rim of the Great Arabian Escarpment. [3, 1]

Habitat

It grows in open savanna at the foot and gentle lower slopes of the Great Arabian Escarpment, on deep alluvial soils and sandy plains with scattered Vachellia trees and xeric shrubs. Elevation is reported as 350–600 m or about 365 m depending on source. [1, 2]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 115–117.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 293.
World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
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. 137.

Updates

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