Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Very local in Mozambique |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Stemless or short-stemmed perennial herb, growing solitary in small groups. Young plants with very distinct 2-ranked overlapping leaves. Spiral leaf-arrangement only after several years of growth. Leaves up to c. 30 cm long, bluish-green often tinged purple-red; margins armed with sharp brown teeth. Inflorescences 1-3, simple narrow racemes with a silvery sheen. Flowers pinkish-red, green at the tips, cylindical; bracts broadly rounded. Flowers can be present when plant still has leaves 2-ranked but mostly only once leaves are rosulate. |
Type location: |
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Notes: | This species is not in Flora Zambesiaca Volume 12 part 3 (2001), nor is it mentioned from Mozambique in Aloes, the definitive Guide (Carter et Al. 2011). The specimens in the photographs appear to be the first records for Mozambique. |
Derivation of specific name: | suprafoliata: with leaves on top of each other, referring to the arrangement of the leaves of young plants. |
Habitat: | In shallow soil pockets on rocky slopes. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Southern Mozambique, Eswatini and Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. |
FZ divisions: | |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Saturday 9 July 2016 |
Literature: |
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 260. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 121. |