Aloidendron tongaense (Van Jaarsv.) Klopper & Gideon F.sm.

Species

Angiosperms > Asparagales > Asphodelaceae > Aloidendron

Characteristics

Dichotomously branched succulent trees with a rounded crown, 4-8 m high and of about the same width. Main trunk stout and firm, 0.6-0.8 m in diameter at base; leaf-bearing branches about 30 mm in diameter. Bark grey. Roots fleshy, about 33 mm in diameter in mature plants, dark brown to grey. Leaves about 20 in apical rosettes, firm, leathery, ensiform, 40-59 x 4.5 cm (when pressed flat), dull green; upper surface canaliculate, lower surface convex; margin dentate, teeth 2 mm long 5-10 mm apart; apex acute, mucronate; older leaves becoming deciduous from base. Inflorescence erect, candelabriform, 35 cm tall, bearing up to 6 racemes; peduncle 100 mm long, 19 mm in diameter, biconvex and slightly flattened at base, terete upwards; scape 100-120 x 9 mm; raceme capitate, 4-6 cm long, up to 50-60-flowered, buds laxly arranged, yellow; floral bracts scarious, deltoid, acuminate, 12-14 x 3-4 mm; pedicles 10-14 x 2 mm, yellow. Perianth cylindric, curved, pendent when mature, 47-50 mm long, 8-9 mm in diameter, yellowish orange, base slightly swollen; outer segments fused in lower 30 mm (free for 10 mm), apices subacute; inner segments free to base, linear-oblanceo late, canaliculate, obtuse to subacute, yellow with a brownish median stripe. Stamens yellowish, about 50 mm long, light yellow, becoming exposed for 3-5 mm when mature; anthers yellow, 3 mm long. Ovary greenish yellow, ovoid, 7 x 4 mm, grooved; style 35-45 mm long, yellow, exposed for up to 7 mm when mature. Capsule and seed not seen. Flowering time: mainly April-May.
Life form perennial
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Mature height (meter) 4.0 - 8.0
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Environment

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Soil texture 5-6
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Usage

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Edible -
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Cultivation

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Distribution

Aloidendron tongaense world distribution map, present in South Africa

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77125494-1
WFO ID wfo-0001335024
COL ID C4BM
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN) Link
Wikipedia (FR)

Synonyms

Aloe tongaensis Aloidendron tongaense