Plants pendent; stems simple or branched. Leaves in an elongated rosette ± 300 mm long; spreading to erect, not recurved, lanceolate, 130-200 x 30^-0 mm, dull green, sometimes tinged reddish brown. Inflorescence a simple, rarely branched, dense, capitate raceme, 150-250 mm long; peduncle reflexed, with sterile bracts; bracts ± 5 x 2-3 mm, 3-nerved. Flowers orange-red, tipped green, 20-23 mm long; all segments free; pedicels 17-20 mm long. Anthers exserted up to 3 mm. Ovary ± 4-5 x 2 mm, green; style exserted up to 3 mm. Fruit not seen. Flowering time December to February. Figure 16.
Habitat
Differences between this species on the one hand and A. perfoliata (no. 87) and A. arenicoÂla (no. 88) on the other are dealt with under those species. The leaves of A. meyeri are erect to spreading, unlike those of A. dabenorisana (no. 90), which are reflexed, and are smaller than those of that species. The inflorescence is smaller and the bracts are 3-nerved, not 1-nerved.
Use
89. Aloe meyeri Van Jaarsv. in Journal of South African Botany 47: 567 (1981); Vorster: 175 (1983); Glen & D.S.Hardy: t. 2065 (1993); B.-E. van Wyk & G.F.Sm.: 114 (1996). Type: Northern Cape, Richtersveld, Van Jaarsveld 6137 (NBG!).
Range
Aloe meyeri is endemic to the Northern Cape and grows in rock cracks on cliffs in one of the most arid parts of the winter-rainfall area. In the range of this species, most of the precipitation received is in the form of condensation from fog. Map 64.
