Entry for Aloe soutpansbergensis [family ALOACEAE]
Herbarium
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 soutpansbergensis [family ALOACEAE]
Information
Short-stemmed grass aloe 200-300 mm tall, solitary or suckering; prostrate to pendent. Leaves ± 7, distichous at first, becoming rosuÂlate, lorate, 110-300 x 6-12 mm, canaliculate, margins minutely denticulate below middle. Inflorescence a subcapitate raceme; peduncle 160-240 mm long, with few sterile bracts; bracts ovate-acute, 10-17 x 5-6 mm, veins obscure. Flowers orange, 19-27 mm long, cylindric; pedicels 11-25 mm long; segments free to base. Anthers included. Ovary 3.5-7.0 x 1.5-2.0 mm, yellowish green; style included. Fruit ± 25 x 9 mm, buff to grey. Seeds charcoal-grey, ± 4 x 2 x 1 mm, not winged. Flowering time January to February.
Habitat
Differences between this species and A. thompÂsoniae (no. 11) are dealt with under that species. Rosettes of A. soutpansbergensis are more often solitary than those of A. nubigena (no. 13), and contain fewer, narrower leaves.
Use
12. Aloe soutpansbergensis I.Verd. in The Flowering Plants of Africa 35: t. 1391 (1962); Jeppe: 120 (1969); Bornman & D.S.Hardy: 27 (1972); D.S.Hardy: 515 (1974); Glen & D.S. Hardy: 151 (1991); B.-E. van Wyk & G.F.Sm.: 290 (1996). Type: Northern Province, Sout-pansberg, Crundall PRE29005 (PRE!).
Range
Endemic to the Northern Province. A. soutÂpansbergensis occurs wedged between rocks in the mist belt in the highest areas of the Soutpansberg. Map 9.
