Aloe rugosquamosa

Overview

Aloe rugosquamosa is an accepted species from Madagascar. The 2010 account treats the former variety of A. compressa as a distinct species and emphasizes its turquoise, arcuate, pustulate leaves and almost entirely white flowers. [1] [2]

Key characteristics

Leaves

The leaves are turquoise blue and arcuate, with a rough upper surface and minute tubercles. [2] [3]

Leaf margin

The leaf margins have closely placed teeth. [3]

Flowers

The flowers are almost entirely white and were described in 2010 as similar to those of A. argyrostachys. [2]

Distribution

It is distributed in Madagascar. [1]

Habitat

It is recorded from quartzitic mountain habitat around Ivohibe and Iarambo. Reported elevations differ between sources. [3] [2]

Scientific name and synonyms

Accepted name: Aloe rugosquamosa (H.Perrier) J.-B.Castillon & J.-P.Castillon [1]
Basionym: Aloe compressa var. rugosquamosa H.Perrier [1]

Taxonomic treatment

WCVP treats Aloe rugosquamosa as an accepted species. [1]

Epithet origin

The epithet rugosquamosa refers to the rough upper leaf surface, from Latin ruga (wrinkle) and -squamosus (scaly). [4]

References

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2010). Les Aloe de Madagascar / The Aloe of Madagascar. J.-P. Castillon. 400 pp.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 228.
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. 135.