Aloe abyssicola
| Aloe abyssicola | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. abyssicola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe abyssicola Lavranos & Bilaidi
| |
Aloe abyssicola is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe that is endemic to southern Yemen, where it grows dangling upside-down from cliff faces.
Taxonomy and etymology
Aloe abyssicola was described by John Jacob Lavranos and A. S. Bilaidi in a 1971 issue of the Cactus and Succulent Journal.[2][3] The specific epithet abyssicola is derived from the Latin terms abyssus, meaning "abyss", and -cola, meaning "dwelling", in reference to the inaccessibility of the type locality.[4][5]
Distribution and habitat
Aloe abyssicola is known only from the type locality, on the cliffs of Jabal al Arays in southern Yemen, approximately 900 m (3,000 ft) above sea level.[3] It grows upside-down, hanging from the vertical cliff faces.[5]
Description
Aloe abyssicola is a short-stemmed or stemless Aloe that grows upside-down in its natural habitat. The rosette is composed of up to 50 grey-green leaves, each measuring 50 cm (20 in) long and 12 cm (4.7 in) wide. The leaves are edged with blunt, black marginal teeth spaced approximately 35–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in) apart. The 60 cm (24 in) long inflorescence grows downwards and splits into 5 to 6 short, loosely packed racemoid branches that curve upward at the tips. The flowers are yellow-green in colour and measure 25 mm (0.98 in) long.[3][5]
References
- ^ "Aloe abyssicola Lavranos & Bilaidi". Species+. UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Aloe abyssicola Lavranos & Bilaidi". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Newton, L.E. (2020). "Aloe Asphodelaceae". In Eggli, Urs; Nyffeler, Reto (eds.). Monocotyledons. Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants (Second ed.). Berlin, Germany: Springer Nature. pp. 491–492. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-56486-8. ISBN 978-3-662-56484-4. OCLC 1145609055.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Lavranos, J.J.; Bilaidi, A.S. (1971). "Notes on the succulent flora of north-east Africa and southern Arabia. Part III. Two New Species from the Southern Yemen". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 43 (5): 204–208.