Aloe zebrina Baker

Aloaceae, S. Kativu. Flora Zambesiaca 12:3. 2001

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, solitary or suckering to form groups of plants of varying size, acaulescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves in a compact rosette, spreading; lamina 15–35 cm long, 6–7 cm wide toward the base, lanceolate, usually dried and twisted at the apex, dull dark green, with transverse bands of conspicuous whitish oblong spots on the upper surface, and conspicuously or more usually obscurely spotted on the lower surface; margin with stout pungent red-brown teeth 4–7 mm long, 1–1.5 cm apart; sap drying purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence erect, 0.75–2 m high; peduncle 4–12-branched, with the lowermost branches often rebranched; branches sub-erect, subtended by scarious or sometimes leafy bracts 1–4 cm long. Racemes 30–40 × 6 cm, cylindric, laxly flowered; bracts 6–15 mm long, linear-lanceolate, scarious; pedicels 6–12 mm long, elongating to 15–20 mm in fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth dull-red to pinkish-red or coral-coloured with segment margins paler to ± halfway, 25–35 mm long, c. 8 mm in diameter across the ovary, abruptly constricted just above, then widening and becoming slightly decurved, cylindric-trigonous; outer segments free for one-quarter to one-third with tips spreading slightly.

Morphology Reproductive morphology

Stamens and stigma slightly exserted.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 25–30 × 14 mm, oblong-ovoid, yellowish-grey.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c. 3.5 × 6.5 mm, blackish-brown with pale brown wings.