| Home | > | List of families | > | Asphodelaceae | > | Aloe | > | globuligemma |
| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Stemless succulent perennial herb, suckering to often form large dense colonies. Leaves in a dense rosette, spreading-erect, lanceolate, 40–60 cm long, 8–11 cm wide at the base, greyish-green without spots, often pink-tinged in dry conditions; margin with firm, pale brown-tipped teeth c. 2 mm long and 5–10 mm apart. Inflorescences 1–2, erect up to 1.75 m high; peduncle 5–12-branched, the lowest branches occasionally branched again. Racemes more or less densely flowered, 30–40 cm long, more or less horizontal with the flowers secund along the upper side of the rhachis; bracts ovate, 4–6 mm long, papery, whitish; pedicels 3–4 mm long. Perianth dull-red with a bloom, and ivory to yellowish towards the mouth, 22–25 mm long, 5–6 mm in diameter across the ovary, clavate and widening to c. 10 mm in diameter, then narrowing slightly at the mouth. Stamens and stigma exserted 10–12 mm; stamens with dark purple filaments and orange anthers, stigma whitish. |
| Notes: | The sap of this species is considered poisonous, even causing death. Hybrids with Aloe aculeata are locally common in an area north of Plumtree. |
| Derivation of specific name: | globuligemma: from the Latin globulus, little ball and gemma, a bud, referring to the globular flower buds. |
| Habitat: | In hot and dry areas, in bare or sparsely grassed, eroded places and open deciduous woodland. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 600 - 1325 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Zimbabwe, Botswana and Limpopo South Africa. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | W,E,S |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Carter, S. (2001). Aloaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(3) Page 85. Carter, S., Lavranos, J.J., Newton, L.E. & Walker, C.C. (2011). Aloes, The Definitive Guide Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ISBN 978 1 84246439 7 Page 459. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 5. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 84. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 115. West, O. (1974). A Field Guide to the Aloes of Rhodesia. Longman, Salisbury Pages 80 - 84. (Includes a picture). |
| Home | > | List of families | > | Asphodelaceae | > | Aloe | > | globuligemma |