Aloe morijensis

Overview

Aloe morijensis is distributed from southern Kenya to northern Tanzania and branches from the base, reaching about 100 cm. Its bright-green leaves are whitish-spotted; the inflorescence is up to 50 cm high and the perianth is about 28 mm long and bright orange-red. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe morijensis S.Carter & Brandham [2]
Protologue bibliography: Cact. Succ. J. Gr. Brit. 41: 3 (1979) [2]
Type locality and type material: Carter et al. (2011) record Kenya, Narok District, 8 km south of Morijo, Classen cult. in Bally 17021 (K). [1]
Synonyms: Aloe morijensis var. ojonokae Uleh [2]

Etymology

The epithet morijensis is reported to refer to its occurrence at Morijo in Kenya. [3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

The plant branches from the base and may stand erect to about 100 cm, supported by other vegetation; on shallow soil over rocks it is recorded as decumbent and forming dense clumps. [1]

Leaves

Leaves form a crowded rosette, spread and curve slightly backward, and reach 17 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are uniformly bright green with whitish spots, often reddish-suffused, with marginal teeth 2–5 mm long and 5–15 mm apart. [1]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is up to 50 cm high and simple or one-branched. Racemes are conical-cylindrical and up to 20 cm long; the perianth is bright orange-red, cylindrical and about 28 mm long, with stamens and stigma slightly exserted. [1]

Distribution

The accepted range is southern Kenya to northern Tanzania. Carter et al. (2011) record it from hills of the western Rift Valley escarpment in south-west Kenya and northern Tanzania. [1, 2]

Habitat

It is recorded on rocky slopes of grassed bushland at about 2,500 m elevation. [1]

Main references

Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 543.
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. 106.
Uleh, M. & Newton, L.E. (2015). A new variety of Aloe morijensis S.Carter & Brandham in Kenya. CactusWorld 33(2): 124.

Updates

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