Aloe retrospiciens

Overview

This shrubby aloe has erect stems and is recorded from Ethiopia and northern Somalia. It bears yellow flowers on short racemes, with flowers on the lateral racemes mostly directed backwards. [1, 2]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe retrospiciens Reynolds & P.R.O.Bally
Protologue bibliography: Reynolds & P.R.O.Bally (1958), J. S. African Bot. 24: 182. [1, 2]
Synonyms: Aloe ruspoliana var. dracaeniformis A.Berger [1, 2]

Etymology

The epithet refers to flowers directed backwards along the racemes. [1, 2]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Plants are sometimes solitary but usually branch from the base; the stems are erect. Plant height is recorded as 1–2 m in the 2010 account and 1–1.25 m in the 2011 account. [1, 2]

Leaves

The soft leaves spread or curve gently backwards, with minute, closely spaced marginal teeth. They are described as grey-green or bluish-grey, sometimes with a reddish tinge and a few white spots near the base. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence branches divaricately and bears short racemes. Flowers on the lateral racemes mostly point backwards, and the cylindrical, three-angled perianth is pale yellow or yellow. [1, 2]

Distribution

The species occurs in Ethiopia and Somalia. Records include the Afar, Bale and Harerge floristic regions and the Dire Dawa area of Ethiopia, as well as northern Somalia. [1, 2]

Habitat

It has been found in open deciduous bushland and along limestone escarpments, including among boulders on sandy soil. Elevations are recorded as approximately 1,000 m in the 2010 account and 800–1,150 m in the 2011 account. [1, 2]

Main references

Sebsebe Demissew & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 2nd ed. pp. 69–70.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 460, 618, 647, 670.
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. 131.
Barkworth, M.E., Awale, A.I. & Gelle, F.J. (2019). Dacar Cas/Somali Red Aloe: a new species of Aloe (Asphodelaceae) from Somaliland. PhytoKeys 117: 85–97. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.117.28226. DOI
Walker, C.C. & Mace, S. (2019). Aloe erensii, Aloe jucunda and a new cultivar. CactusWorld 37(1): 13–19.

Updates

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