Aloe rapanarivoi

Overview

Aloe rapanarivoi is a non-suckering, solitary aloe from Madagascar. Its leaves are triangular and reach 50–70 cm in length; sources describe them as grey-blue or blue-red, while the flowers are reported from yellow or pale red to bright yellow or red. [1] [2] [3]

Key characteristics

Growth form

The 2009 original description says the plant is generally stemless, and the 2010 Castillon account likewise describes it as usually acaulescent. [2] [3]

Leaves

Leaves are triangular; the 2009 original description gives 50–70 cm and grey-blue, whereas the 2010 account describes blue-red leaves. [2] [3]

Inflorescence

The 2009 original description gives an inflorescence 80–110 cm long with more or less capitate racemes; the 2010 account says the inflorescence exceeds 1 m in height. [2] [3]

Flowers

Flowers are described as yellow or pale red in the 2009 original description and bright yellow to red in the 2010 account; the 2009 perianth length is 35 mm. [2] [3]

Distribution

WCVP records Madagascar. Carter et al. (2011) record Mahajanga Province, north of Antsohihy near Antsahabe. Sources disagree on direction relative to Antsohihy: the 2009 original description says east, while the 2010 Castillon account says west, so both are retained as source-specific records. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe rapanarivoi J.-P.Castillon [1]

Etymology

The epithet rapanarivoi commemorates S.H.J. Rapanarivo. [2] [5]

References

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Castillon, J.-P. (2009). Description of two new taxa in the genus Aloe (Asphodelaceae) from Madagascar. Cactus-Aventures International 81: 18.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2010). Les Aloe de Madagascar / The Aloe of Madagascar.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 708.
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. 130.