Aloe momccoyae
Aloe momccoyae
Overview
Aloe momccoyae is restricted to highland localities along the Great Arabian Escarpment in southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is acaulescent and solitary, with glaucous leaves and bright yellow flowers. [1, 2]
Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted name
- Aloe momccoyae T.A.McCoy & Lavranos [2]
- Protologue bibliography
- Avonia 33: 186 (2015) [2]
- Type locality and type material
- Saudi Arabia, Asir Province, rocky slopes northwest of Abha. McCoy 4120, holotype FT. [1]
Etymology
The epithet momccoyae honors Anina Mona McCoy, the author’s wife. [1]
Key characteristics
Growth form
Acaulescent and solitary, with leaves forming a dense rosette. [1]
Leaves
Leaves are lanceolate-attenuate and glaucous, with a red cartilaginous margin bearing reddish-orange teeth. [1]
Inflorescence and flowers
The erect inflorescence has 10–15 branches; the racemes are cylindrical to weakly conical. Open flowers are nutant with a bright yellow perianth. [1]
Distribution
Recorded as endemic to southwestern Saudi Arabia and known from two localities along the edge of the Great Arabian Escarpment. [1, 2]
Habitat
It grows on isolated rocky outcrops within juniper forest at about 2,700 m; the substrate is interpreted as probably brick-red granophyre. [1]
Main references
- McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 75–79.
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Updates
Classification, distribution and descriptive information are revised as new sources are verified or taxonomic treatments change.