Aloe squarrosa

Overview

Aloe squarrosa is a small-group-forming aloe endemic to Socotra Island, Yemen. It is characterized by heavily white-spotted leaves and coral-pink to scarlet flowers. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe squarrosa Baker ex Balf.f. [3]
Protologue bibliography: Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 12: 97 (1883) [2, 3]
Type locality and type material: Base of limestone cliffs southwest of Galonsir, Socotra, 1,000 ft. Bayley Balfour 282, February–March 1880; K. [1]
Synonyms: Aloe zanzibarica Milne-Redh. [3]
Illegitimate names: Aloe concinna Baker [3]

Etymology

The epithet squarrosa is recorded as referring to the roughness of the leaf surface. [1, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants form small groups, with stems pendent or ascending. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are lanceolate-attenuate, rough and heavily white-spotted, with strongly recurved apices. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is simple, arcuate-ascending or pendulous, with cylindrical to cylindrical-conical racemes. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Open flowers are nutant; the perianth is coral-pink to scarlet with a green mouth. [1, 2]

Distribution

Endemic to Socotra Island, Yemen, where it is recorded from the Jabal Ma’alli Plateau and surrounding cliffs at the western end of the island. [1]

Habitat

It grows at about 300 m on limestone cliffs and plateau habitat, including solution holes and sites sheltered by woody plants. [1, 2]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 126–128.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 474.
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. 146.

Updates

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