Aloe peglerae

Aloe peglerae
On Magaliesberg dip slope
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Aloe
Species: A. peglerae
Binomial name
Aloe peglerae
Schönland

Aloe peglerae (the "Fez aloe") is a small, stemless South African aloe. This unique succulent plant is classed as an endangered species.

Description

The Fez Aloe is typically 300–400 mm in diameter, and 300–400 mm in height. The glaucous leaves are strongly incurved to form a compact, spherical rosette.

Inflorescence can be observed in July and August, and usually consists of a single cylindrical spike 300–400 mm tall, occasionally forked. The visible portions of filaments are deep purple in colour.[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to South Africa, where it only occurs in Gauteng and the North West Province. In this limited range, it is naturally found only along the northern dip slopes of the Magaliesberg and the Witwatersberg, the range just south and parallel to it.

It is listed as endangered and is rapidly declining in the wild, primarily due to habitat destruction and illegal collecting.[3][4]

Naming and taxonomy

The species is named after Alice Marguerite Pegler (1861-1929), a botanist and naturalist who collected at first around Kentani, and later in the vicinity of Johannesburg and Rustenburg. Her failing eyesight and health led her to confine her attention to algae and fungi. She was paid the exceptional honour of being made a member of the Linnaean Society.

This species forms natural hybrids with Aloe marlothii Berger and with Aloe davyana Schönland.

References

  1. ↑ Pfab, M.F. (Gauteng Nature Conservation) & Victor, J. (National Botanical Institute) (2003). "Aloe peglerae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Aloe peglerae - Plantzafrica article
  3. ↑ Aloe peglerae - IUCN Redlist Info
  4. ↑ Aloe peglerae - Succulents.co.za
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