Aloe lanata

Overview

Aloe lanata is endemic to Yemen. It is a large stemless aloe, usually solitary, with leaves to 95 cm and an erect inflorescence bearing red, densely tomentose flowers. [1, 2, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe lanata T.A.McCoy & Lavranos [2]
Protologue bibliography: Kakteen und Andere Sukkulenten (Berlin) 58(11): 296 (2007). [1, 3, 2]
Type locality and type material: Yemen, slopes of metamorphic rocks at the southeast end of the Yemeni plateau, Al-Baydha Governorate; 2,130 m; collected 23 January 2000; McCoy 2010; holotype at FT. [1, 3]

Etymology

The epithet lanata derives from Latin lana, “wool”, referring to the extraordinarily dense tomentum on the flowers. [1, 4, 3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Stemless and usually solitary; less often it forms 2–3 rosettes. [1, 3]

Leaves

Sources record 20–30 leaves, or up to 30. Leaves are lanceolate, to 95 cm long, 15–20 cm wide at the base and 6–12 mm thick, uniformly grey to grey-green. [1, 3]

Leaf surface and margin

The margin bears pungent deltoid teeth, reddish-brown or brown with red points, about 5 mm long and 10 mm apart. [1, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

The erect inflorescence is recorded to 195–200 cm, with up to 10 branches and as many as 10 racemes. The red perianth is densely tomentose, 36–40 mm long in one account and 40 mm in another; hairs may reach 6 mm. [1, 3]

Distribution

Endemic to Yemen, with a limited range on the southeastern inland plateau. [1, 2]

Habitat

Known from around 2,100–2,130 m near the southern escarpment. Sources describe metamorphic basement rocks and rocky granitic slopes; the locality has cold winters and summer rainfall. [1, 3]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 57–61.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online: Aloe lanata T.A.McCoy & Lavranos (accessed 2026-09-25). Source
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 386–387.
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. 85.

Updates

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