Aloe framesii subsp. framesii, L. Bolus

Klopper, Ronell R., Grace, Olwen M., Klopper, Arrie W., Smith, Gideon F. & Van, Abraham E., 2023, A taxonomic revision of Aloe sect. Purpurascentes (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), Phytotaxa 628 (1), pp. 1921-1935 : 1921-1935

1a. Aloe framesii subsp. framesii ( Fig. 7 )

Type:—As for A. framesii .

Description:— Shortly caulescent plants. Stem 0.5–1.0 m long, erect to decumbent, freely branching from base to form dense groups, with persistent dried leaves. Leaves densely rosulate, incurved or erectly spreading, bluish green, often with a reddish tinge, usually with only a few white spots on both surfaces, often towards the base of the leaf, lanceolate-attenuate, 30–35 cm long, 6–7 cm wide at base; margin with pungent, deltoid, reddish brown teeth, 3–4 mm long, 7–10(–13) mm apart; exudate honey-coloured, drying to purplish tinged. Inflorescence usually single, up to 0.7 m high, erect, simple or 2-branched, only rarely up to 3-branched from middle or lower, branches ascending. Peduncle ± 1.4–1.7 cm wide and plano-convex below, terete upwards, reddish green; with several sterile bracts when simple, ovate-acute, ± 17 mm long, (11–) 18–23 mm wide, pale brownish, thin scarious, many-nerved. Racemes conical to cylindric-acuminate, 21–30 cm long, ± 10 cm wide, erect, dense; buds erect to spreading, flowers nodding to pendent when open. Floral bracts ovate-acute, amplexicaul below, 11–16 mm long, 5–6 mm wide, pinkish, rather fleshy to thin and scarious, many-nerved. Pedicels 16–20(–25) mm long, pinkish. Flowers: perianth orange-red with greenish yellow tips, 25–35 mm long, 5–6 mm across ovary, not narrowed above ovary, slightly widening to 6–7 mm towards middle, slightly narrowing to ± 5 mm at mouth, cylindric-trigonous; outer segments free to base, tips straight to slightly spreading; stamens with yellow filiform-flattened filaments, exserted portion turning brown, exserted to 5 mm; ovary 6.0 × 3.5 mm, green; style yellow, exserted to 6 mm.

Diagnostic characters:— Aloe framesii subsp. framesii is distinguished by its semi-erect to procumbent stems and rosettes that form dense groups. Leaves have a few white spots on both surfaces, usually towards the base, and reddish brown marginal teeth that are 3–4 mm long. Inflorescences are sometimes simple or usually 2-branched, with racemes 21–30 cm long. Pedicels are usually 16–20 mm long. Flowers are 25–35 mm long. Leaf exudate dries brownish yellow, often with a slight purple tinge.

Distribution:— Confined to the coastal sandveld on the West Coast from Port Nolloth and Kleinsee, Northern Cape, southwards to possibly to Papendorp, Western Cape, South Africa. Endemic to the Succulent Karoo.

Habitat:— Sandy coastal flats on sandstone in Succulent Karoo Strandveld and Duneveld.

Elevation:— 0–100 m

Flowering time:— June–July

Etymology:— Commemorates Mr Percival (‘Percy’) Ross Frames (1863–1947), South African solicitor, collector, and grower of succulents, who collected the type specimen in Namaqualand.

General notes:— Populations from the Olifants River Estuary around Papendorp, Western Cape, South Africa, are tentatively included in this subspecies. The affinities and placement of these plants require further study.

Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. Western Cape: Papendorp, near Olifants River Estuary , 12 July 2010, R. R . Klopper & A. W . Klopper 352 & 353 (NBGg, PREg). Van Rhynsdorp Div., Strandfontein , ex hort. Stellenbosch University , May 1940, H . Herre SUGardens 7136 ( BOL) . Northern Cape: N of Port Nolloth , 1932, fl. ex hort August 1933, M . Schlechter s.n. ( BOL); 6 July 1949, G. W . Reynolds 5412 ( K, PREm, SAM); 27 May 1985, R. L . Verhoeven & G. J . Beukes 179 ( BLFU); 30 August 1985, H. F . Glen 1491 ( PRE); 16 July 2010, R. R . Klopper & A. W . Klopper 374 (KMGgmc, PREgmc) & 375 (NBGgmc, PREgmc). Namaqualand , between Port Nolloth and Holgat, 25 July 1937, G. W . Reynolds 2558 ( BOL, PREm). Kleinzee, Molyneux Reserve , 20 July 2005, P . Kruger 1066 ( K, PRE). Van Rhynsdorp / Vredendal Distr., Brandsebaai , March 1993, A. J . de Villiers 62 ( PRE, WIND) .

Figures

FIGURE 7. Aloe framesii subsp. framesii. A. Known distribution (red shading). B. Very large group of clustered rosettes with decumbent to erect stems. C. Rosette of bluish-green, red-tinged leaves with very few white spots. D. Raceme with orange-red, greenish-tipped flowers. Photographs:Arrie W. Klopper (Port Nolloth, Northern Cape, South Africa, July 2010).