Gonialoe dinteri
Gonialoe dinteri
Overview
Gonialoe dinteri is a usually solitary, stemless succulent distributed from southwestern Angola to northwestern Namibia. The leaves are trifarious and spreading, lanceolate, and deeply V-shaped in section. They are dark green to brownish, with numerous elongated white spots on both surfaces and a narrow white cartilaginous border on the margins and keel. The racemes are rather lax, and the perianth is pale red and slightly curved. [1] [2]
Key characteristics
Growth form
Usually solitary and stemless. [2]
Leaves
Leaves are trifarious and spreading, lanceolate, deeply V-shaped in section, and decurved toward the tips. [2] [3]
Leaf surface
Leaves are dark green to brownish with numerous elongated white spots on both surfaces. [2]
Leaf margin
The margins and keel have a narrow white cartilaginous border. [2]
Flowers
Racemes are rather laxly flowered; the perianth is pale red and slightly curved. [2]
Distribution
Angola and Namibia. WCVP gives southwestern Angola to northwestern Namibia, while Carter et al. (2011) describe the range from northwestern Namibia into southwestern Angola. [1] [2]
Habitat
It is usually recorded on sandy or rocky ground, preferably sheltered by shrubs, and in places with low rainfall. [2]
Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted name
- Gonialoe dinteri (A.Berger) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning [1]
- Classification and nomenclature
- Accepted at species rank; the combination was published in Syst. Bot. 39: 69 (2014). The basionym is Aloe dinteri A.Berger. [1]
Etymology
The epithet dinteri honours Prof. Moritz Kurt Dinter (1868–1945), a German botanist noted for his explorations in Namibia, who discovered the plants in 1912. [4] [2]
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.
- Hanáček, Klak & Bruyns (2023), South African Journal of Botany 159: 653–657. DOI
- 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. 49.