Aloe debrana

Overview

Aloe debrana is a succulent herb that suckers from the base to form small groups and is mostly stemless. The dull-green, lanceolate leaves form a very dense rosette and spread and recurve. The erect inflorescence is compoundly branched and bears scarlet flowers. [1] [2] [3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

A succulent herb that suckers from the base to form small groups. It is mostly stemless, although old plants may develop thick, prostrate stems. [1] [2] [3]

Leaves

The leaves form a very dense rosette; they are spreading-recurved, lanceolate and dull green. [1] [2] [3]

Leaf margin

The leaf margin bears deltoid teeth with red tips. [1] [2] [3]

Inflorescence

The inflorescence is erect and compoundly branched, with second-order branching nearly always present; the lowest branches usually re-branch. [1] [2] [3]

Flowers

The flowers are scarlet with a cylindrical perianth; the stamens and style are scarcely exserted. [1] [2] [3]

Distribution

It is distributed in Ethiopia. [4]

Habitat

Recorded in grassland and low scrub, on thin soil over basalt or volcanic rocks, usually on gentle slopes. [1] [2] [3]

Diagnostic features

Compared with A. percrassa sensu stricto, smaller floral bracts and much more frequent second-order branching are reported as diagnostic differences. [2] [3]

Scientific name and synonyms

Accepted name: Aloe debrana Christian [4] [5]
Taxonomic status: Accepted (Species) [4]
Synonyms: Aloe berhana Reynolds [4] [5] [2]
Intraspecific variation: Two forms differing in perianth and bract size are reported, but continuous variation supports their treatment as one species. [1] [2]

Type specimen and type locality

Later sources report the type of Aloe debrana as McLoughlin 812A (PRE 27173), collected at Debre Berhan and cultivated at Pretoria. [2] [3] [1] [5]

Taxonomic treatment

WCVP treats Aloe debrana as an accepted species. [4] [5]

Epithet origin

The epithet debrana refers to Debre Berhan, the locality of the plant on which the species description was based. [1] [5]

References

Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 2nd ed.
Gilbert, M.G. & Sebsebe Demissew (1997). Further Notes on the Genus Aloe in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Kew Bulletin 52(1): 139–152.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
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.