Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

62 ALOACEAE
Description
Habitat and
distribution
Aloe macrocarpa
Description
Acaulescent, solitary or in clumps of 2–5. Leaves in rosettes up to
35, 20–45 × 5–10 cm, with greenish­white elongate spots, seen both
above and below, more conspicuous below. Marginal spines, 1–2
mm long, brownish-tipped, 10–12 per 10 cm length. Inflorescence
solitary or two, 55–150 cm long, with 4–6 racemes; raceme
cylindrical, 15–25 cm long, lax. Bracts white, ovate–acuminate, 2–5
× 2 mm. Pedicel 10–13 mm. Perianth pinkish­red, 21–23 mm long,
base slightly swollen, truncate, 5–6 mm across; outer perianth parts
free for 10–11 mm long; stamens and styles exerted 3–5 mm long at
anthesis. Fruits 18–20 mm long.
It grows on edges of roads and in disturbed areas between
2440 and 2500 m. It is known so far only from a restricted
area outside Dessie towards Addis in Welo floristic
region. The main flowering period is between September
and November in the wild.
8. Aloe macrocarpa Todaro
The specific epithet ‘macrocarpa’ refers to the large
(macro-) fruit (carpa) size. The species was described in
1875 based on material cultivated from seeds collected
in Ethiopia by Schimper in 1870, probably from Tigray
region.
A. macrocarpa is a member of the group of aloes
known as the ‘saponaria’ group (numbers 7–11) which
have soft and spotted leaves, and a basal swelling of the
perianth tube. A. macrocarpa is clearly distinguished
from the other Ethiopian members of the group by the
numerous pale spots on the leaves, which also have
distinct dar ker longitudinal lines, the perianth with a
markedly globose basal swelling and the large capsule
(also found in A. lateritia).
Rosettes stemless, rarely developing short erect stems in shaded
sites, solitary or forming small groups. Leaves 16–20, (10– )20–35
× 3–11.5 cm, very soft, green, usually with numerous pale spots,
always with distinct darker longitudinal lines. Marginal teeth 10–24
per 10 cm, 2–3 mm long with brown tips. Inflorescence erect, up
to 100 cm high. Racemes (1–) 3–5(–7), (2–)4–22 cm long, lax to
capitate. Bracts 6–20 × 2–4 mm. Fruiting pedicels 11–45 mm long.
Perianth 19–30(–35) mm long, with a distinct globose basal swelling
which is 4.5–7 mm wide when pressed, abruptly constricted into a
subcylindrical limb 2.3–5 mm wide when pressed. Perianth lobes
red with paler margins, very rarely yellow; outer lobes free for 5–6
mm. Capsule cylindrical to ellipsoidal, 22–40 × 12–15 mm.