Aloe mcloughlinii

Overview

Aloe mcloughlinii is a spotted-leaved aloe with an accepted range from eastern Ethiopia to Djibouti. Leaves are recorded as 40–50 cm long and inflorescences as 100–120 cm high, while published descriptions differ in perianth length and colour. [1, 2, 3]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe mcloughlinii Christian [3]
Protologue bibliography: Fl. Pl. Africa 28: 1112 (1951) [3]
Type locality and type material: Carter et al. (2011) record Ethiopia, Harar Province, near Dire Dawa, June 1941, McLoughlin 826 in Christian 1170, PRE. [2]

Etymology

The epithet honors McLoughlin, but sources give two forms of the person name: Major A. J. McLoughlin and Major Alfred G. McLoughlin (1886–1960). [1, 4]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Growth form is described as stemless or nearly so with solitary to small groups in one source, and as stemless or short-stemmed, usually in groups of up to six rosettes, in another. [2, 1]

Leaves

Leaf length is 40–50 cm in both sources. Width is recorded as 7–8 cm or 7 cm; the leaves bear numerous pale markings, and tooth length is given as 3–4.5 mm or 3–5 mm. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

Inflorescence height is 100–120 cm in both sources. Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal (2010) record racemes 11–20 cm long and a 17–20 mm pink perianth; Carter et al. (2011) record racemes to 15 cm and a 20–24 mm bright-red perianth. [1, 2]

Distribution

The accepted range is eastern Ethiopia to Djibouti. Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal (2010) record the Harerge floristic region and report that it was then not known elsewhere, while Carter et al. (2011) describe it as limited to around Dire Dawa. [1, 2, 3]

Habitat

It is recorded on flat stony ground in disturbed Acacia bushland at 1,060–1,250 m; another source records flat sandy or silty ground. [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. pp. 344–345.
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. 99.

Updates

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