Aloe serriyensis

Overview

Aloe serriyensis Lavranos is a stemless aloe known only from the lower slopes of Jabal Al-Arays in southern Yemen. It grows solitary or in small clumps, has leaves 30–35 cm long, and produces erect inflorescences. [1, 2]

Key characteristics

Growth form

Stemless, growing solitary or producing basal offsets to form small clumps. [1, 2]

Leaves

Leaves are lanceolate-attenuate, 30–35 × 6–7 cm, very rigid, and white-spotted in juvenile plants. [1, 2]

Leaf surface and margin

The leaf margins bear dark-brown teeth. [1, 2]

Inflorescence and flowers

The inflorescence is erect and the racemes are laxly flowered. The perianth is 27 mm long with a tapering base. [1, 2]

Distribution

Known only from Jabal Al-Arays in southern Yemen. [3, 1, 2]

Habitat

It grows in wooded valleys and rocky lower slopes on older basalt and more recent lava. McCoy (2019) records 300–500 m, while Carter et al. (2011) give 300 m. [1, 2]

Etymology

The epithet serriyensis refers to the type locality at Serriya (Am-Serriya) in Yemen. [1, 4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe serriyensis Lavranos [3]
Protologue bibliography: Published in the Journal of South African Botany in 1965. [3]
Type locality and type material: The type collection is Lavranos 2101 from near Serriya on Jabal Al-Arays; McCoy (2019) identifies the PRE specimen as the holotype. [1, 2]

Main references

McCoy, T. (2019). The Aloes of Arabia. McCoy Publishing, Temecula, California. pp. 361–365.
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. pp. 256–257.
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. 141.

Updates

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