Aloe inyangensis

Last updated

Aloe inyangensis
Aloe inyangensis (1).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloe
Species:
A. inyangensis
Binomial name
Aloe inyangensis

Aloe inyangensis is a succulent aloe plant species, found only in the mountainous Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. It grows best in shady conditions but in some areas is also found in the open in heaths on mountain tops. There are two subspecies: the relatively flimsy A. inyangensis inyangensis commoner in the northern part of the range; and the sturdier A. inyangensis kimberleyana towards the southern end of its range. [1]

Contents

Appearance

This aloe is a small herbaceous plant with stiff, succulent strap-shaped leaves that belie the humid and perennially wet conditions that it grows under. It grows in rather untidy-looking clumps up to 20–30 cm high. The leaves are thin, about 18–28 cm long and often bent forwards along the central vein. Unlike most aloe species, A inyangensis blooms throughout the year. The flowers are a very attractive crimson colour, borne on 30 cm curved stalks above the foliage.

Distribution

The plant is strictly confined to woodland and wet forest on mountain sides above 1500 m altitude from just north of Nyanga southwards to Mount Rupere and Mount Ruinji near Stapleford in northern Manicaland. It grows almost up to the summit of Mount Inyangani. Another population occurs about 40 km further south on and around the Castle Beacon mountain in the Bvumba mountains. Despite its limited distribution it is relatively common in its own environment and specimens are relatively easy to spot.

Related Research Articles

<i>Aloe</i> Genus of succulent flowering plants

Aloe, also written Aloë, is a genus containing over 550 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". It is called this because it is cultivated as the standard source for assorted pharmaceutical purposes. Other species, such as Aloe ferox, are also cultivated or harvested from the wild for similar applications.

<i>Aloe vera</i> Species of plant

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.

<i>Aristaloe</i> Monotypic genus of flowering perennial plant from southern Africa

Aristaloe is a genus of evergreen flowering perennial plants in the family Asphodelaceae from Southern Africa. Its sole species is Aristaloe aristata, known as guinea-fowl aloe or lace aloe.

<i>Gonialoe variegata</i>

Gonialoe variegata, also known as tiger aloe and partridge-breasted aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is an evergreen succulent perennial indigenous to South Africa and Namibia. It is common in cultivation.

<i>Aloe arborescens</i> Species of succulent

Aloe arborescens, the krantz aloe or candelabra aloe, is a species of flowering succulent perennial plant that belongs to the genus Aloe, which it shares with the well known and studied Aloe vera. The specific epithet arborescens means "tree-like". Aloe arborescens is valued by gardeners for its succulent green leaves, large vibrantly-colored flowers, winter blooming, and attraction for birds, bees, and butterflies.

<i>Aloidendron pillansii</i>

Aloidendron pillansii, formerly Aloe pillansii, the giant quiver tree or bastard quiver tree, is a large, branching species of succulent plant indigenous to southern Africa. It is regarded as critically endangered.

<i>Aloe excelsa</i> species of plant in the family Asphodelaceae

Aloe excelsa is an arborescent aloe indigenous to southern Africa.

<i>Aloe ferox</i> Species of succulent

Aloe ferox, commonly known as bitter aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. This woody aloe is indigenous to southern Africa. It is one of several Aloe species used to make bitter aloes, a purgative medication, and also yields a non-bitter gel that can be used in cosmetics.

<i>Aloe africana</i> Species of succulent

Aloe africana is an arborescent species of aloe plant, indigenous to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

<i>Aloiampelos striatula</i>

Aloiampelos striatula, formerly Aloe striatula, the hardy aloe or striped-stemmed aloe, is a sturdy succulent plant that naturally occurs on the summits of mountains along the south of the Karoo region of South Africa. Tough and hardy, with bright yellow flowers, it is a popular plant in gardens around the world.

<i>Aloiampelos gracilis</i>

Aloiampelos gracilis, formerly Aloe gracilis, the rocket aloe, is a succulent plant, endemic to dry thicket vegetation around the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Its natural range lies just to the west of the related Aloiampelos ciliaris, and it occurs in bushy fynbos and dry thickets, and clustered on rocky outcrops at all altitudes. Its range extends westwards into the Baviaanskloof mountains.

<i>Aloe perfoliata</i> Species of succulent

Aloe perfoliata, the rubble aloe or mitre aloe, is a hardy creeping aloe, found in rocky, mountainous areas throughout the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Kumara haemanthifolia</i> species of plant in the family Asphodelaceae

Kumara haemanthifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is a rare species of succulent plant, native to a few high, inaccessible mountain peaks in the Fynbos habitat of Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Aloiampelos</i> Genus of succulent flowering plants

Aloiampelos, formerly Aloe ser. Macrifoliae is a genus of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae, comprising seven species found in Southern Africa. They are typically multi-branched climbing or sprawling shrubs, with long spindly stems and a large woody base on the ground. These characteristics, as well as their soft, narrow, triangular leaves whose lower part ensheathes the stem, make them easy to distinguish.

Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos Vegetation type endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town, South Africa

Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos is a unique and endangered vegetation type that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. This type of Mountain Fynbos occurs on very poor, acidic soils but is incredibly rich in biodiversity with an enormous number of plant species – many of which occur nowhere else. Due to its poor soils and steep, inaccessible location, it has not been developed for farming or houses, and consequently it is relatively well conserved.

<i>Aloe buettneri</i> Species of plant

Aloe buettneri is a species of succulent plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is found in West Africa and is known for its medicinal uses.

<i>Aloe broomii</i> Species of succulent

Aloe broomii, known as the mountain aloe or snake aloe on account of its odd inflorescence, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Aloe, found in southern Africa.

<i>Aloe jucunda</i> Species of succulent

Aloe jucunda is a species succulent plants that belong to the family Asphodelaceae, indigenous to Somalia.

<i>Aloe lomatophylloides</i> Species of plant

Aloe lomatophylloides is a unique species of Aloe endemic to the island of Rodrigues, in the Indian Ocean. It is part of a group of aloes which bear fleshy berries, and were therefore classed as a separate group, Aloe section Lomatophyllum.

<i>Aloe globuligemma</i> Species of succulent

Aloe globuligemma is a species of flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae. It is an evergreen, succulent, perennial plant. The plant forms large, dense clumps. It is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

References

  1. "Flora of Zimbabwe: Home page". Zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 2012-11-09.