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Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

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320 TACCACEAE<br />

Tacca<br />

leontopetaloides<br />

Description<br />

Habitat <strong>and</strong><br />

distribution<br />

Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) O. Ktze<br />

The species epithet refers to leon, the Greek word for lion,<br />

which probably is connected to the striking appearance<br />

<strong>of</strong> the inflorescence with its long, hanging bracts (not<br />

petals as indicated by the epithet) might remind <strong>of</strong> a<br />

lion’s mane. The appearance <strong>of</strong> the plant is not really lilylike,<br />

<strong>and</strong> the species cannot be confused with anything<br />

else. The umbellate inflorescences with the long, hanging<br />

bracts are very characteristic.<br />

Plants from tubers up to 10 cm across. Leaves 1–3 with a petiole<br />

up to 150 cm <strong>and</strong> blade up to 120 × 70 cm, but usually smaller,<br />

palmately 3­dvided, with each <strong>of</strong> the 3 segments pinnately lobed<br />

or dissected. Inflorescence 10–40 flowered on a hollow stem up<br />

to 170 cm long, with 5–6 leafy broad involucral bracts <strong>and</strong> many<br />

5–20 cm long, hanging, filiform bracteoles. Pedicels 2–3 cm long.<br />

Flowers greenish yellow or purplish green, drooping, smelling <strong>of</strong><br />

rotten flesh. Tepals fleshy, 3–8 mm long. Fruits subglobose up to 3<br />

cm in diameter, green to light orange.<br />

The species grows in thickets or open wood l<strong>and</strong> from<br />

about 500 to 1250 m. It is found in the Tigray/Gonder<br />

border areas <strong>and</strong> in Gojam, Shewa, <strong>and</strong> Illubabor floristic<br />

regions. It is otherwise widespread in tropical Africa,<br />

Asia <strong>and</strong> the Pacific Isl<strong>and</strong>s. The main flowering period<br />

is from May to June, occasionally also in December.

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