Aloe clarkei

Overview

Aloe clarkei is a small, stem-forming aloe recorded from Mount Naita in Ethiopia. It branches near the base, bears pale-spotted leaves, and has been recorded with red or yellow flowers. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe clarkei L.E.Newton
Protologue bibliography: Haseltonia 9: 15 (2003) [2]

Etymology

The epithet clarkei honours Paul Clarke, who collected the type specimen. [1, 3]

Key characteristics

Leaves

The lanceolate leaves are loosely arranged in a rosette and bear scattered elongated whitish spots. Their marginal teeth are hooked towards the leaf apex, with white tooth tips. [2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The solitary inflorescence bears two to six racemes, with flowers reported as red or yellow. Published accounts give maximum inflorescence lengths of 50 cm and 52 cm. [1, 2]

Distribution

Recorded from Mt. Naita in Ethiopia. [2, 1]

Habitat

At approximately 1,980 m, it has been recorded in small, lightly shaded clearings within montane forest. [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.
Grace, O.M., Klopper, R.R., Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Updates

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

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