Aloe fievetii subsp. fievetii

Overview

Aloe fievetii subsp. fievetii is a succulent subshrub native to Madagascar and recorded from rocky hills near Andoharanomaitso in the Fianarantsoa region. It forms dense rosettes of lanceolate mid-green leaves often tinged reddish, with broadly capitate, densely flowered racemes and cylindrical orange flowers. [1, 3, 4]

Key characteristics

Leaves

Leaves are densely rosulate and lanceolate, mid-green and often tinged reddish. [3]

Inflorescence and flowers

Racemes are broadly capitate and densely flowered; the perianth is orange and cylindrical. [3]

Distribution

Native to Madagascar. Carter et al. (2011) record the taxon as restricted to the type locality on granite rocks, while J.-B. Castillon & J.-P. Castillon (2010) report rocky hills near Andoharanomaitso in the Fianarantsoa region and plants on flat rocks. [1, 3, 4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe fievetii subsp. fievetii. It is the nominotypical subspecies (autonym) of Aloe fievetii Reynolds and therefore has no separate author citation. [1]
Etymology: The epithet fievetii commemorates Gerard Fievet, a French winegrower and succulent-plant enthusiast in Madagascar. [2]

Parent taxon: Aloe fievetii
Sibling subspecies: Aloe fievetii subsp. johannis-baptistei
Varieties in the same species: Aloe fievetii var. altimatsiatrae

Aloe fievetii var. ambatofinandrahanensis

Main references

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.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2010). Les Aloe de Madagascar / The Aloe of Madagascar. J.-P. Castillon. 400 pp.

Updates

Classification, distribution and morphology are reviewed as new literature and taxonomic changes are assessed.