Aloe vaotsanda

Overview

Aloe vaotsanda is an accepted succulent shrub or tree native to Madagascar. [1]

Key characteristics

Growth form

The trunk reaches up to 4 m, with persistent dead leaves remaining on it. [2]

Leaves

Leaves are lanceolate-attenuate and strongly deflexed, reaching up to 100 cm long; the apices point downwards and nearly touch the trunk. [2, 3]

Inflorescence and flowers

The c. 50 cm inflorescence is many-branched and forms a panicle of racemes; the racemes are densely flowered, and the orange-yellow perianth is c. 22 mm long. [2, 3]

Distribution

The species occurs in southern Madagascar; a narrow coastal belt is recorded from south of Ambovombe westwards to about Androka on the Linta River. [1, 2]

Habitat

It grows in dry bush on limestone outcrops. [2]

Etymology

The epithet vaotsanda derives from a local common name for the plants in Madagascar. [4]

Classification and nomenclature

Accepted name: Aloe vaotsanda Decary [1]
Protologue bibliography: Bull. Écon. Madagascar 18(1):23 (1921) [5, 6, 2]

Main references

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP).
Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 668.
Castillon, J.-B. & Castillon, J.-P. (2010). Les Aloe de Madagascar / The Aloe of Madagascar. J.-P. Castillon. p. 270.
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. 158.
Bibliothèque nationale de France. Catalogue général: Bulletin économique (Tananarive). Notice FRBNF34425280. Source
Shtein, R., Smith, G.F. & Ikeda, J. (2021). Aspects of the taxonomy of the Kalanchoe daigremontiana species complex and associated interspecific hybrids in southern Madagascar. Phytotaxa 524(4):235–260. DOI

Updates

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