Entry From
FZ, Vol 12, Part 3, page 48, (2001) Author: S. Kativu
Names
Aloe chabaudii var. chabaudii [family ALOACEAE]
Aloe dyeri [family ALOACEAE], sensu Wild in Clark, Victoria Falls Handb.: 139 (1952).
Aloe sp. [family ALOACEAE], (Rogers 5288) of Eyles in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa 5: 323 (1916).
Aloe chabaudii var. verekeri Christian [family ALOACEAE], in Fl. Pl. S. Africa 18: pl. 699 (1938). —Reynolds, Aloes S. Africa: 342 (1950); Aloes Trop. Africa & Madagascar: 107 (1966). —West, Aloes Rhodesia: 62, pl. 14b & c (1974); Aloes Zimbabwe, rev. Kimberley: 70 (1992). Type: Zimbabwe, Save (Sabi) R. Gorge, fl. vii.1937, Vereker cult. Pretoria in NBG 23027 (PRE, holotype).
Distribution
Zambia B Sesheke, fr. 17.ix.1969, Mutimushi 3752 (K; NDO; SRGH).Zimbabwe N Mutoko Distr., 25.5 km NE of Mutoko (Mtoko), fl. 5.vii.1952, Reynolds 6646 (K; PRE).Malawi N Mzimba Distr., Njakwa Mt., leaves only, 25.vi.1936, B.D. Burtt 5869 (BR; K).Mozambique N Cuamba Distr., 27 km east of Cuamba (Nova Freixo), fl. 17.vii.1962, Leach & Schelpe 11396 (K; LISC; SRGH).Zambia C 4 km west of Lusaka, fl. 12.vii.1930, Hutchinson & Gillett 3592 (K; LISC; SRGH).Zambia E 69 km west of Chipata (Fort Jameson), fl. 24.vii.1952, Reynolds 6701 (K; PRE).Zambia S Livingstone, fl. 28.vi.1962, Fanshawe 6903 (K; LISC; NDO).Zimbabwe W Hwange Distr., Victoria Falls, fl. 3.v.1968, Plowes 2895 (K; LISC; SRGH).Zimbabwe C Goromonzi Distr., Domboshawa, fl. 17.vi.1961, Leach 11112 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe E 16–24 km south of Mutare (Umtali), fl. 7.vii.1965, Plowes 2701 (K; LISC; SRGH).Zimbabwe S Chivi Distr., Runde (Lundi), 184 km north of Beitbridge, fl. 1.viii.1952, Reynolds 6730 (K; PRE).Malawi C 13 km northwest of Dedza, fl. 20.vii.1952, Reynolds 6692 (K; PRE).Malawi S Zomba Distr., Ntonya Hill, fl. 20.vii.1980, Patel 518 (MAL; SRGH).Mozambique Z Gurué Distr., 16 km south of Lioma, fl. 25.vii.1962, Leach & Schelpe 11445 (K; LISC; SRGH).Mozambique T Changara Distr., 48 km southwest of Tete, fl. 5.vii.1952, Reynolds 6647 (K; PRE).Mozambique MS between Búzi and Mambone, fl. 29.viii.1961, Leach 11239 (K; SRGH).Mozambique GI Chibuto, fl. & fr. 16.viii.1944, Torre 6782 (BR; COI; LISC; LMA; LMU; MO; WAG).Mozambique M 16 km south of Boane, fl. 22.vii.1961, Leach 11206 (K; LISC; SRGH).
Notes
Aloe chabaudii is tolerant of a wide range of habitat, from dry, exposed granite slopes to shady wooded slopes, or even vertical cliffs drenched in spray from waterfalls. This versatility is reflected in the species’ variation, the most widespread typical form occurring on more or less exposed lower slopes of rock outcrops. Plants in shaded woodland are often larger, with dark olive-green leaves, and a taller more expanded inflorescence, with flowers varying from pink to orange or yellow. The marginal leaf-teeth of plants from north of Dedza in Malawi are closer together (3–8 mm) than is typical. Other forms are described by West (loc. cit. pages 56–62).Specimens with subcapitate racemes matching the description of var. verekeri, have been collected throughout the range of the species, and do not merit separation. However, the habit of plants from the Mt. Mulanje area in southern Malawi is constant, and thus varietal status is maintained as follows.