''Aloe dorotheae'' is a
critically endangered succulent plant in the family
Asphodelaceae
Asphodelaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Asparagales. Such a family has been recognized by most taxonomists, but the circumscription has varied widely. In its current circumscription in the APG IV system, it includes about 4 ...
.
It is native to
Tanzania
Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...
.
Description
Its leaves are recurved, spotted, and have a glossy surface. They turn a strong reddish colour during times of drought or under stressed, exposed conditions. The stems are sprawling and decumbent, and it can eventually form large clumps.
Distribution and habitat
The species has a very restricted distribution in the wild, limited to only two localities consisting of rocky outcrops in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, but is common and popular as an ornamental in cultivation. It requires well-drained soil, some exposure to sun, and it prefers a summer-rainfall watering regime.
It is one of 16 aloe species which are
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to Tanzania, and one of a further 26 Aloe species which are indigenous (but not endemic) to that country.
[Note:]
Tanzania Aloe endemics: ''A. babatiensis, boscawenii, brachystachys, brandhamii, bukobana, bullockii, bussei, congdonii, dorotheae, flexilifolia, leachii, leedalii, leptosiphon, massawana, pembana, richardsiae.''
Tanzania Aloe indigenous: ''A. parvidens; lateritia; secundiflora; rabaiensis; volkensii; wollastonii; macrosiphon; ballyi, confusa, deserti, elata, fibrosa, morijensis, ngongensis; bicomitum, fimbrialis, veseyi; duckeri; mzimbana; bulbicaulis, nuttii; christianii; mawii; chabaudii; myriacantha''
Conservation
''Aloe dorotheae'' is classified as
Critically Endangered by the
IUCN based on its extremely limited distribution, which overlaps with a heavily populated district. It is likely being collected for medicinal purposes.
Notes
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q291761
dorotheae
Flora of Tanzania
Taxa named by Alwin Berger