Aloe elegans

Overview

Aloe elegans occurs from Sudan through Eritrea to Ethiopia. It is usually stemless and solitary, with grey to bluish-green incurved leaves and dense racemes of yellow, orange or scarlet flowers. [1, 2, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe elegans Tod. [3]
Protologue bibliography: Index Seminum (PAL, Panormitani) 1880: 37 (1880) [3]
Type locality and type material: Illustration of cultivated material raised from Schimper seed originating in Tigre Province. [2]
Synonyms: Aloe abyssinica var. peacockii Baker [4, 3]

Aloe aethiopica (Schweinf.) A.Berger [4, 3]

Aloe peacockii (Baker) A.Berger [4, 3]

Aloe vera var. aethiopica Schweinf. [4, 3]

Etymology

The epithet elegans is Latin for “elegant,” referring to the plant’s appearance; Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal (2010) relate this especially to its conspicuous bright flower colours. [1, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

A succulent herb, usually stemless and solitary, sometimes forming small groups and only rarely developing a stem. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are usually incurved and lanceolate, grey to bluish-green, with a reddish margin and brownish-red teeth. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Racemes are subcapitate to cylindrical and densely flowered; the perianth is yellow, orange or scarlet. [1]

Distribution

Recorded from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. [3]

Habitat

It grows on rocky or stony slopes, mainly on sandstone or limestone, in evergreen bushland, wooded grassland or open bush. Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal (2010) record 1,500–2,400 m and Carter et al. (2011) record 1,600–2,500 m. [1, 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. p. 373.
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. 53.

Updates

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