Aloe squarrosa
| Aloe squarrosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Juvenile Aloe squarrosa in flower | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Xanthorrhoeaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. squarrosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe squarrosa Baker | |
Aloe squarrosa is a species of plant in the genus Aloe.
Distribution and habitat
It is endemic to the island of Soqotra, Yemen. Here its natural habitat is limestone cliff-faces and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat destruction and is destroyed by goat herding. [1]
Identification
Aloe juvenna, a very different species that is frequently confused with Aloe squarrosa.
It is frequently confused with Aloe juvenna from Kenya. However Aloe squarrosa has smooth, spotted leaves that curve backwards. These recurved leaves are kept only around the head or top of each stem, with dead leaves falling off the lower parts of the stem. It is relatively rare in cultivation.
Commoner Aloe juvenna has shorter, non-recurved triangular leaves and grows long stems, with the leaves retained all along the stems.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aloe squarrosa. |
References
- Miller, A. 2004. Aloe squarrosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded 20 August 2007.