Aloe striata

Aloe striata
Coral Aloes in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloe
Species: A. striata
Binomial name
Aloe striata
Haw.

Aloe striata (the Coral Aloe) is a small, stemless South African Aloe.[1][2]

Description

Detail showing the smooth pink leaf margin of this species, key to its identification.

The Coral Aloe's species name, "striata", means "stripes", and refers to the long lines (sometimes very faint) on its blue-green leaves. The leaves of this Aloe are not toothed, but have a smooth pink margin.

Due to the similarity of their species names, A. striata is sometimes confused in literature with A. striatula (the Hardy Aloe) - a very different plant, found in the highlands of the Eastern Cape.

This species is often confused with its close relative, Aloe reynoldsii, and they do look very similar. However the Coral Aloe has smooth leaf margins and red flowers; while Aloe reynoldsii has waxy, toothed leaf margins and yellow flowers.[3][4]

Distribution

This species occurs quite widely over the southern parts of the Cape, South Africa. Here it is found on rocky slopes in coastal or karoo areas. It can tolerate a degree of aridity, and prefers full sun and very well-drained soils.

Taxonomy

The Coral Aloe forms part of the Paniculatae series of very closely related Aloe species, together with Aloe reynoldsii and Aloe karasbergensis.

A hybrid between A. striata and A. maculata is very popular in the gardening trade and is used for water-wise landscaping worldwide.



Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aloe striata.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Aloe striata Haw. subsp. striata Haw. [family ALOACEAE]". Ithaka Harbors, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  2. ↑ Aloe striata - Info page at Plantzafrica
  3. ↑ http://www.succulents.co.za/aloes/stemless-aloes/aloe-reynoldsii.php
  4. ↑ Reynolds, G.W. 1950. The aloes of Southern Africa. Balkema, Cape Town.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, August 10, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.