Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. deltoideodonta

Overview

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. deltoideodonta is the currently accepted nominotypical subspecies of Aloe deltoideodonta in WCVP, a succulent perennial of central Madagascar. Historical names including Aloe madecassa are now treated as synonyms of this subspecies. [1, 2]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants are stemless or short-stemmed and are described from solitary individuals to small clumps. [3, 4, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are rosulate and obscurely lineate. The nominotypical account and the historical Aloe madecassa account differ markedly in leaf size, shape and colour. [3, 4, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Racemes reach about 20 cm and the perianth is about 25 mm long. Its colour is described as red in one account and scarlet in another. [3, 4, 2]

Distribution

It occurs in central Madagascar. Castillon (2014) records it from Imerina around Tananarivo, including Mont Iharanandriana near Behenjy, Antongona and hills around Arivonimamo. [1, 2]

Habitat

The historical Aloe madecassa account records it on siliceous rocks. WCVP places the taxon in the seasonally dry tropical biome as a succulent perennial or chamaephyte. [1, 3, 2]

Etymology

The epithet deltoideodonta refers to the leaf marginal teeth, from Greek deltoides, “delta-shaped”, and odous/odontos, “tooth”. [5]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. deltoideodonta [1]
Protologue bibliography: Aloe deltoideodonta Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 271 (1883) [1, 6]
Type locality and type material: Baron 946; lectotype K000286393 (K). Baron 752 is cited as K000286392 (K) and P00398893 (P). Locality: Central Madagascar. [2]
Synonyms: Aloe madecassa H.Perrier [2, 5, 1]

Aloe madecassa var. lutea Guillaumin [2, 5, 1]

Aloe rossii Tod. [2, 5, 1]

Parent taxon: Aloe deltoideodonta
Sibling subspecies: Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. amboahangyensis

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. candicans

Aloe deltoideodonta subsp. esomonyensis

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Castillon, J.-P. (2014). Nouvelles remarques sur l’identité de l’Aloe deltoideodonta Baker … Adansonia 36(2): 221–235. DOI
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 217, 311.
Rebmann, N. (2009). Two new subspecies of Aloe from Madagascar. Cactus-Aventures International 84: 24–31.
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. 46.
Baker, J.G. (1883). Contributions to the Flora of Madagascar.—Part III. Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 20(128): 237–304. DOI

Updates

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