Aloidendron ramosissimum | |
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Specimen at Palmengarten, Frankfurt, Germany. | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asphodelaceae |
Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
Tribe: | Aloeae |
Genus: | Aloidendron |
Species: | A. ramosissimum |
Binomial name | |
Aloidendron ramosissimum (Pillans) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. [2] | |
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Aloidendron ramosissimum range Extant (resident) | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Aloidendron ramosissimum (formerly Aloe ramosissima), or the maiden’s quiver tree, [1] is a species of succulent flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae (order Asparagales), placing it alongside such genera as Aloe, Alstroemeria , Bulbine , Gasteria , Haworthia , Hemerocallis (daylilies), Kniphofia (red-hot pokers) and Phormium (New Zealand flax), among others. Despite its smaller size, when compared to related species, it is sometimes referred to as a "tree-aloe". It is endemic to the Richtersveld, at the border between northwestern South Africa and southern Namibia, [3] where it grows on desert slopes and in ravines, as well as some open, flat areas. [1] In Namibia, it is known from the southern inland Ilkaras (Karas) Region, north of the border with South Africa. [4] Its range continues into the Northern Cape province, having been observed as far south as Springbok. [5]
A. ramosissimum is similar in appearance to A. dichotomum , or even the larger A. barberae , but grows bushier and shorter in stature. The plant rarely exceeds 60 centimeters (approx. 2 ft) in height; select, undisturbed specimens may reach 1.22-1.5 m (between 4-5 ft). [1] A. ramosissimum's validity as a distinct species has also been debated; [1] it has been treated as both a variety and a subspecies of A. dichotomum. [2]
Despite the aridity of its native habitat, the areas of Southern Africa where this species grows may eventually be threatened by mining and its associated pollutive practices, as well as the increased presence of livestock contributing to overgrazing. Given the area's lack of water for a large part of the year, many species of herbivorous ungulates—both domesticated and wild—readily consume the endemic succulent plants [6] found there for their moisture content, ranging from immature sprouts to larger, more substantial specimens; for this reason, many of Southern Africa's plant species have evolved strange or bizarre appearances (e.g. Lithops , Pleiospilos , etc.) or woody trunks (such as the Aloidendron) to more effectively camouflage and protect themselves from grazing herbivores. Nonetheless, immature specimens or very small Aloidendron plantlets that are consumed and/or trampled by grazing animals will never reach maturity, and thus will not be able to reproduce and further the species' distribution. [1]
Aloidendron dichotomum, formerly Aloe dichotoma, the quiver tree or kokerboom, is a tall, branching species of succulent plant, indigenous to Southern Africa, specifically in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, and parts of Southern Namibia.
The Brandberg is Namibia's highest mountain.
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.
The Richtersveld is a desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains, situated in the north-western corner of South Africa’s Northern Cape province. It is full of changing scenery from flat, sandy, coastal plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which forms the border with neighboring Namibia. The area ranges in altitude from sea level, to 1,377 m (4,518 ft) at Cornellberg. Located in the north-western side of the Northern Cape province in South Africa, the Richtersveld is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth and the majority of the area is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List due to its cultural values.
Aloidendron barberae, formerly Aloe bainesii and Aloe barberae, also known as the tree aloe, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloidendron. It is native to South Africa northwards to Mozambique. In its native climes this slow-growing tree can reach up to 60 feet (18 m) high and 36 inches (0.91 m) in stem diameter. Aloidendron barberae is Africa's largest aloe-like plant. The tree aloe is often used as an ornamental plant. Its tubular flowers are rose pink (green-tipped); it flowers in winter and in its natural environment is pollinated by sunbirds.
Aloe peglerae is a small, stemless South African aloe. This unique succulent plant is classed as an endangered species. The species was listed by CITES as an Appendix II species, requiring special trade protections to prevent the further endangerment of the current wild population due to the plant trade.
Aloe comosa is a species of flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is commonly called Clanwilliam aloe) and is endemic to South Africa.
Gonialoe dinteri, the Namibian partridge aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is native to arid areas of Angola and Namibia.
Aloidendron eminens, formerly Aloe eminens, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloidendron, endemic to Somalia.
Aloe erinacea is a rare species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe, from arid areas of Namibia.
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.
Gonialoe sladeniana is a species of plant in the genus Gonialoe. It is endemic to arid areas of central Namibia.
Aloe hereroensis is an African Aloe native to Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Like other Aloe species, it forms a rosette of succulent, lanceolate, greyish-green leaves with teeth along their edges. These leaves can grow up to 40 cm long. A. hereroensis forms large inflorescences, up to 1 meter high, with clusters of scarlet flowers.
Kumara plicatilis, formerly Aloe plicatilis, the fan-aloe, is a succulent plant endemic to a few mountains in the Fynbos ecoregion, of the Western Cape in South Africa. The plant has an unusual and striking fan-like arrangement of its leaves. It may grow as a large multistemmed shrub or as a small tree. It is one of the two species in the genus Kumara.
Aloiampelos ciliaris, the common climbing-aloe, is a thin-leaved and generally rapidly-growing succulent plant from Southern Africa.
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.
Aloe pearsonii is a very distinctive and unusual species of aloe, that is naturally endemic to the arid Richtersveld area on the border between South Africa and Namibia.
The North-West University Botanical Garden on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) is the only botanical garden in the North West Province of South Africa. The Garden spans just under three hectares and is open to the public.
The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden located in the historical center of Stellenbosch is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. The Garden is relatively small and houses an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and introduced species. It is open to the public.
Aloeae is a tribe of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae of the family Asphodelaceae, consisting of the aloes and their close relatives. The taxon may also be treated as the subfamily Alooideae by those botanists who retain the narrower circumscription of Asphodelaceae adopted prior to the APG III system. Typically, plants have rosettes of more or less succulent leaves, with or without a distinct stem. Their flowers are arranged in racemes and tend to be either small and pale, pollinated by insects, or larger and more brightly coloured, pollinated by birds. As of 2017, 11 genera are recognized, most created since 2010 by splitting off another five genera from Aloe and another two from Haworthia. Only two genera, Aloe and Aloidendron, are native outside southern Africa, extending northwards to the Arabian Peninsula. Seven genera are restricted to South Africa, some with small ranges. Members of the Aloeae are cultivated by succulent plant enthusiasts; Aloe species especially are used in temperate climates as ornamental garden plants. Some species are used in traditional medicine. Aloe vera and Aloe ferox are cultivated for their extracts, whose uses include moisturizers and emollients in cosmetics.