TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food;some TOXIC . Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.
Perennial, sometimes tree; sap bitter
Stem branched or not
Leaves: basal > cauline, fleshy; base clasping, margin generally horny-toothed
Inflorescence: panicle, generally axillary; branches 1many, raceme-like
Flower tubular, odorless, colorful; perianth parts in 2 sets of 3, ± fused; stamens 6, unequal; ovary chambers 3
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal; valves 3
Seeds many, flat or angled
Species in genus: ± 250 species: Medit Eur, s Asia, especially Africa
Etymology: (Greek: ancient name)
Reference: [Reynolds 1950 Aloës of S Africa, Cape Times Ltd]
Introduced |
Stem decumbent, < 4 dm, covered with dead leaves; basal leaf rosettes 35 dm wide, loosely clustered
Leaves: basal 1530, 22.5 dm, triangular-ovate, white-spotted, tip withering, marginal teeth 12 mm
Inflorescence 49 dm; racemes 510, dense
Flower 2532 mm, red
Fruit 23 cm, oblong
Seed 5 mm, 3-winged
Ecology: Coastal-sage scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
Bioregional distribution: s South Coast (La Jolla, San Diego Co.);
Distribution outside California: native to s Africa
Apparently sterile but spreading vegetatively.