Aloe tsitongambarikana
Aloe tsitongambarikana
Overview
Aloe tsitongambarikana is an accepted species native to Madagascar. It is a perennial, caulescent herbaceous aloe, generally solitary and sometimes producing basal offsets. [1, 2]
Key characteristics
Growth form
The stem is always curved; plants may hang from cliffs or grow more creeping, with the stem supported by surrounding bushes. [2]
Leaves
Leaves are 40–60 × 2 cm, very fleshy and brittle, curve under their own weight, and are uniformly green on both surfaces. [2]
Leaf surface and margin
The leaf margins bear numerous small white, cartilaginous teeth arranged quite regularly. [2]
Inflorescence and flowers
Inflorescences are unbranched and erect, with dense elongated-conical racemes. The perianth is 25–30 mm long, slightly curved, yellow at the base and white at the apex. [2]
Distribution
Native to Madagascar. [1]
Habitat
The species occurs in seasonally dry tropical environments. [1]
Etymology
The epithet refers to the Tsitongambarika range near Tôlanaro, where the plant was discovered. [2]
Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted name
- Aloe tsitongambarikana J.-P.Castillon & J.-B.Castillon [1]
Main references
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
- Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2016). A new Aloe (Asphodelaceae) from around Tôlanaro, Madagascar. Comments on Aloe versicolor Guillaumin subsp. steffanieana (Rauh). CactusWorld 34(2): 111–115.
Updates
Classification, distribution and descriptive information are revised as new sources are verified or taxonomic treatments change.