Aloe aageodonta
| Aloe aageodonta | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. aageodonta
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe aageodonta L.E.Newton
| |
Aloe aageodonta is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe that is endemic to Kenya.
Taxonomy and etymology
Aloe aageodonta was described by botanist Leonard Eric Newton in a 1993 issue of the Cactus and Succulent Journal.[2] The specific epithet aageodonta is derived from the Ancient Greek words aages, meaning "hard", and odous or odontus, meaning "teeth".[3]
The Kamba people refer to this species as kiluma in the Kamba language, however, this term is also used to refer to other local Aloe species such as Aloe deserti, Aloe fibrosa, Aloe lateritia, and Aloe ukambensis.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Aloe aageodonta is known only from the type locality of Muvaroa Hill in the former Eastern Province of Kenya, where it grows on rocky hills, in forest clearings, and on the edges of thickets at 960–1,250 m (3,150–4,100 ft) above sea level.[5]
Description
Aloe aageodonta is a caulescent Aloe that branches from the base. The stems may be up to 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter and grow upright until reaching approximately 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall and becoming decumbent, reaching a maximum length of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). The loose rosettes consist of 12 to 20 triangular leaves. Each smooth, dull green leaf measures 50 cm (20 in) long and 8 cm (3.1 in) wide and bears hooked marginal teeth. The erect inflorescence grows to 70 cm (28 in) tall and bears 6 to 10 racemoid branches, with each raceme bearing 20 to 40 yellow or red flowers.[5]
References
- ^ "Aloe aageodonta L.E.Newton". Species+. UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Aloe aageodonta L.E.Newton". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ Grace, Olwen M.; Klopper, Ronell R.; Figueiredo, Estrela; Smith, Gideon F. (2011). The Aloe Names Book. Strelitzia. Vol. 28. South African National Biodiversity Institute & Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-84246-419-9. OCLC 729841885.
- ^ Bjorå, Charlotte S.; Wabuyele, Emily; Grace, Olwen M.; Nordal, Inger; Newton, Leonard E. (25 November 2015). "The uses of Kenyan aloes: an analysis of implications for names, distribution and conservation". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 11 (1): 82. doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0060-0. ISSN 1746-4269. PMC 4658748. PMID 26607663.
- ^ a b Newton, L. E. (2020). "Aloe Asphodelaceae". In Eggli, Urs; Nyffeler, Reto (eds.). Monocotyledons. Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants (Second ed.). Berlin, Germany: Springer Nature. p. 492. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-56486-8. ISBN 978-3-662-56484-4. OCLC 1145609055.