South African National Biodiversity Institute, Compton Herbarium, Cape Town (SAM)
Collection
Flora of Southern Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Names
Aloe modesta [family ALOACEAE]
Information
Stemless grass aloe 200-300 mm tall, solitary; rootstock bulbous. Leaves 4-8 in a rosette, lorate, 150-200 x 6-9 mm, bright green, slightÂly canaliculate, margins entire, cartilaginous. Inflorescence a capitate raceme; peduncle 250-300 mm long, with sterile bracts; flower-bearing bracts lanceolate-acuminate, 10-13 x 4-6 mm, 3-5-nerved; flowers upwardly spreadÂing to horizontal, subsessile. Flowers yellowish green, scented, 10-15 mm long, cylindric to trigonous; pedicels ± 1 mm long; mouth upturned, outer segments free. Anthers exserted up to 3 mm. Ovary green, ± 4.0 x 2.5 mm; style exserted up to 5 mm. Fruit and seed not seen. Flowering time January to February.
Habitat
This is the only species of Aloe in Africa which regularly has scented flowers. Differences between this species and A. kniphofioides (no. 5) are dealt with under that species. With its bulbous rootstock and capitate raceme of sessile flowers, A. modesta is so distinctive that it is not likely to be confused with any species other than A. kniphofioides.
Use
6. Aloe modesta Reynolds in Journal of South African Botany 22: 85 (1956); Jeppe: 132 (1969); Bornman & D.S.Hardy: 13 (1972); D.S.Hardy: 510 (1974); B.-E. van Wyk & G.F.Sm.: 280 (1996); C.L.Craib & G.Condy: 4, t. 2121 (1997). Type: Mpumalanga, near Dullstroom, De Wet in Reynolds 7626 (PRE!).
Range
Found in the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. A. modesta grows in grassland in an area characterised by cold winÂters and high rainfall. The soils in which it occurs are reasonably heavy and sometimes shaly. Map 5.
