Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

96 ALOACEAE
Fig. 51. Aloe megalacantha subsp. megalacantha, from near Asbe Teferi,
Harerge floristic region.
Aloe megalacantha
subsp. alticola
b. subsp. alticola Gilbert & Sebsebe
The subspecific epithet ‘alticola’, refers to its occurrence
at higher altitudes. The name literally means high altitude
(alti-) dweller (­cola). The subspecies was described
by Gilbert and Sebsebe in 1997. The type material was
collected in an area between Alemaya and Grawa in
Harerge region.
The subspecies is characterised by having stems more
erect, often forming compact clumps. The marginal
spines are ca. 4 mm long. The racemes are laxer with
only 3–5 flowers per cm. The bracts are longer, 11–12
mm, and so are the tepals (28–30 mm long).
The subspecies grows in margins of evergreen thickets
on limestone slopes between 2100 and 2150 m in Harerge
floristic region. It is so far not known anywhere else.
The main flowering period is from August to October;
sometimes also from April toMay.
36. Aloe gilbertii Reynolds ex Sebsebe &
Brandham
The specific epithet ‘gilbertii’, was given in honour of
one of the collectors of the type specimen, an outstanding
botanist who has contributed importantly to the progress