Aloe aufensis

Overview

Aloe aufensis is a solitary, stemless aloe known from one locality on Jabal Auf in Saudi Arabia. It has light-green leaves, an erect inflorescence reaching up to 130 cm, and a perianth recorded as orange or red. [1, 2, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe aufensis T.A.McCoy [1]
Protologue bibliography: Excelsa 21: 2 (2007) [1, 2, 3]
Type locality and type material: Saudi Arabia, summit of Jabal Auf. McCoy 1119, holotype MO. [2, 3]

Etymology

The epithet aufensis is derived from Jabal Auf, with -ensis indicating place of origin. [2, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

It is a solitary, stemless rosette-forming species. [2, 3]

Leaves

The leaves are lanceolate to lanceolate-attenuate and light green, with white deltoid marginal teeth. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is erect and reaches up to 130 cm; the cylindrical racemes are densely to very densely flowered. The perianth is cylindrical to clavate, orange or red, with a yellow mouth. [2, 3]

Distribution

Endemic to Saudi Arabia and recorded only from the type locality on Jabal Auf. [1, 2, 3]

Habitat

It grows on a steep igneous-rock slope on Jabal Auf at about 2,000 m, in a strictly winter-rainfall area with estimated annual rainfall of about 140 mm. [2, 3]

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 9–12.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 351.
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. 16.

Updates

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