Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

108 ALOACEAE
Habitat and
distribution
Aloe jacksonii
Description
Habitat and
distribution
Aloe vituensis
The species grows on a bare rock cliff­face overlooking
the village of El Kerre at about 1000 m in Harege floristic
region. It is so far not known elsewhere. The main
flowering period is unknown as it was not indicated in
the protologue.
45. Aloe jacksonii Reynolds
The specific epithet ‘jacksonii’ is given in honour of the
entomologist and collector of the type specimen, T. H. E.
Jackson. The species was described in 1955 based on the
material collected near El Kerre in Bale floristic region
and cultivated in Johannesburg.
The species belongs to a small group of caulescent
aloes (numbers 42–45) that occur in Eastern and
Southeastern Ethiopia and. The group is characterised by
narrow, distinctly or obscurely spotted leaves which are
separated along the erect or sprawling stems, and by the
lax inflorescences. A. jacksonii is distinguished from the
group by heavily spotted leaves and unbranched simple
inflorescence.
Dwarf succulent shrub, stems erect or sprawling, 10–20 cm long.
Leaves separated along stem, linear lanceolate, 11–15 × 1.2–2.2
cm, upper surface almost flat, dull-green, with pale spots above and
below. Marginal teeth 16–20 per 10 cm, c. 1 mm long, pale pinkish.
Inflorescence not branched, ca. 30 cm long. Raceme lax, 9–11 cm
long, 3–4 flowers per cm. Bracts ovate, 4.5–5 × 2–2.5 mm. Pedicel
7–8 mm long. Perianth cylindrical, c. 2–3 mm long, 7–8 mm wide
when pressed, scarlet; outer segments free for 5–6 mm.
It grows along the edge of a narrow limestone ravine, area
generally dominated by Acacia-Commiphora bushland
at about 1050 m in Bale region. It is so far not known
anywhere else. Flowering specimens seen, in cultivation,
from September to October; also in June.
46. Aloe vituensis Baker
The specific epithet ‘vituensis’ refers to the place of
growth (Witu/Vitu), on the Tana River in Kenya where
the type collection was made by Thomas. The species
was described in 1898.
The species is easily recognised by the combination of