Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Description
Habitat and
distribution
Chlorophytum
pendulum
Description
Habitat and
distribution
CHLOROPHYTUM 153
gallabatense (see above) and might only deserve
subspecific rank. It is separated from C. galla batense by
its leaves developing after the flowering and its somewhat
smaller flowers.
Plants with leaves appearing after flowering, up to about 20 cm
high. Rhizome short, carrying fibrous remains from previous year’s
leaves. Roots fairly narrow with tubers on lateral branches. Leaves in
a basal rosette, glabrous, narrowly lanceolate, never collected when
fully developed. Peduncle leafless, up to 10 cm long. Inflorescence
simple to branched; floral bracts small. Pedicels, 2–4 at a node, up
to 20 mm long, articulate near the middle. Tepals slightly recurved,
pale green, 4–5 mm long, 3­veined. Capsules 3­lobed, c. 4 mm long.
Seeds not known.
The species is so far only recorded from the Illuba bor
floristic region (flowering in April), but is otherwise found
in the Sudan and in Kenya. The relation to Chlorophytum
gallabatense needs to be further studies.
16. Chlorophytum pendulum Nordal & Thulin
The species epithet refers to the pendant fruits. It was
described in 1993 by Nordal & Thulin based on material
collected in the Bale floristic region. It has small
inconspicuous flowers, and is most easily recognised by
its hanging, pyramide­shaped fruits. The distincly ciliate
leaves may provide an additional clue to its identity.
Slender, tufted plants 15–40 cm tall, from a short, sometimes
moniliform rhizome; roots thin and wiry with tubers, 1–2 × 0.5–1 cm.
Leaves several, rosulate, green to olive green, linear 20–45 × 0.4–
0.9 cm, erect but drooping in upper parts, margin distinctly ciliate,
with a distinct midrib; cataphylls more or less membranaceous,
sometimes with a characteristic white/green striping. Peduncle
slender, lax, glabrous, leafless, 5–30 cm long. Inflorescence a simple
raceme, rachis glabrous to slightly papillose, often drooping margin;
flowers 1–4 at each node; pedicels, very thin, glabrous, 5–12 mm
long at anthesis, articulated near the base. Tepals patent, white, with
greenish to brownish stripes on the outside, 5–9 mm long, 3­veined.
Capsule pendent, deeply 3­lobed, slightly transversely ridged, 10–
15 × 6–10 mm, triangular in longitudinal section, broadest in the
distal end, emarginate, with remnants of the perianth at the base.
Seeds thin, flat, black, 3–4 mm across.
The species is found in woodland dominated by Acacia,
Combretum, and Com mi phora, in more or less shade, on
dark or red stony soils, sometimes on limestone, between