Aloe huntleyana Van Jaarsv. & Swanepoel, 2012

Jaarsveld, Ernst J. van & Swanepoel, Wessel, 2012, Aloe huntleyana, a new species from the Baynes Mountains, Namibia, Bradleya 30, pp. 3-8 : 3-4

Aloe huntleyana Van Jaarsv. & Swanepoel spec. nov.

ab Aloe vallariana Leach foliis a caulem persistentibus, inflorescentiis 1–3-ramosis, racemis subdensis e subcapitatis, 130–150 mm longis, floribus subsecunde dispositis 28 mm longis, ad anthesim patentibus sed haud pendentibus discedit.

Type: Namibia, 1713 (Swartbooisdrif): Omavanda, upper east facing sandstone cliffs. (– AA), Van Jaarsveld, Swanepoel & Steven Carr 18805 ( Wind, holo.).

Arborescent shrub, much-branched from its base, spreading to pendent, up to 0.5 m long and 2 m wide. Roots fleshy. Branches not straight, often with a slight zig-zag, leafy, 12–14 mm in diameter, with leaves tending to be crowded in apical rosettes of about 300–400 mm in diameter; internodes 15–20 mm long. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 160–180 × 20–30 mm, spreading, recurved in upper half, slightly falcate, greyish green but turning reddish in the dry season; upper surface flat to convex, slightly channelled during the dry season, lower surface convex, sparingly spotted in lower half, distinctly striate at the amplexicaul internodes; margin sinuate-dentate, armed with yellowish green pungent teeth 3–5 mm long and 8–12 mm apart; apices acuminate. Inflorescence up to 300–400 mm long, simple, or divaricate with up to 3 branches in lower half, at first pendent with apices bending up, the lowest branch distinctly arcuate ascending. Peduncle plano-convex at its base 7–10 mm in diameter, purplish green to green, with few sterile bracts the longest 10 × 15 mm. Racemes conical-triangular, subdensely and subsecundly flowered, 130–150 mm long and 40– 50 mm in diameter the lateral 80–110 mm, the buds ascending spreading, open flowers spreading, but slightly drooping; pedicels 8–10 mm long; bracts ovate-acuminate scarious, up to 5 × 3 mm becoming smaller upwards. Perianth red, becoming whitish and yellowish at the apex in open flowers, cylindrical, slightly decurved, 28–29 mm long; base obtuse, very shortly stipitate and 6 mm in diameter; outer segments free for 10 mm, 3–4 mm broad, inner segments 4–5 mm broad, apices obtuse. Anthers about 3 mm long, pollen reddish pink, becoming shortly exerted (about 2 mm). Ovary green 5 × 2.5 mm. Stigma exserted to 2 mm. Capsule and seed not seen. ( Figures 3–7 . )

Flowering time: mainly in autumn (April–June). Seeds dispersed by wind in winter, just before the spring rains.

Figures

Figure 3. The original plant of A. huntleyana in its rock face habitat, collected in July 2004. The plant grows on east facing cliff faces.

Figure 4. A. huntleyana in cultivation at Kirstenbosch.

Figure 5. The subdense, subsecundly arranged raceme; note the green tipped buds.

Figure 6. The stem of A. huntleyana.

Figure 7. Plant showing the inflorescence and foliage.