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Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

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100 ALOACEAE<br />

Fig. 54. Aloe<br />

ghibensis, from<br />

Ghibe Gorge,<br />

Kefa floristic<br />

region.<br />

Description<br />

A. ghibensis belongs to a group <strong>of</strong> caulescent aloes<br />

(numbers 31–41 mainly characterized by erect, ascending<br />

<strong>and</strong> sprawling stems. Aloe ghibensis is distinguished with<br />

the related species by its habitat occurring in Combretum-<br />

Terminalia woodl<strong>and</strong> in the western part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ethiopia</strong>.<br />

It is distinguished from the closely related species, A.<br />

schelpei in central <strong>Ethiopia</strong> by the inflorescence with 7–8<br />

racemes; flowers secund, lax with 1–2 flowers per cm<br />

length; bracts 3–4 mm long <strong>and</strong> flower pedicel 5–6 mm<br />

long. In contrast, A. schelpei has single or 2–3 racemes,<br />

flowers arranged in all sides, denser inflorescence <strong>and</strong><br />

longer bracts, 6–8 mm long <strong>and</strong> pedicles 10–17 mm<br />

long.<br />

Caulescent with sc<strong>and</strong>ent stems to 1 m long <strong>and</strong> 5–7 cm wide;<br />

rosette Leaves rosulate, 35–50 × 7–10 cm; leaf surface dull green

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