Aloe fouriei

FamilyAsphodelaceae
GenusAloe
Speciesfouriei
OriginAround Lydenburg and Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, South Africa
PublishedHardy & Glen, Flowering Plants of Africa 49 plate 1941 (1987)
IPNI932700-1

Aloe fouriei is a relatively recently discovered grass Aloe endemic to the Mpumalanga province in South Africa. It is found among dolomite formations near the towns of Lydenberg and Pilgrim’s Rest, on steep slopes at altitudes of 5000 ft ​[1]​. The species is named after Steve Fourie, a local conservation officer who first discovered the plant ​[2]​.

Leaves, heavily spotted near the base.

Unusual for a grass Aloe, this species is caulescent, with stems up to 6 in. long. Younger plants show no stem and may appear like Aloe cooperi.

Leaves are long, linear, and fleshy; they may be decorated with a few white spots on the upper surface, but tend to be heavily spotted on the bottom surface near the base. Margins have a slight, thin, translucent border with short white teeth.

The plant flowers in the summer. Inflorescence is simple. Flowers are orange in color, with green tips, and distinctly trigonous ​[3]​.

Aloe fouriei with an early raceme.

Physical Characteristics

Inflorescence16 in. tall
PerianthOrange with green tips, 1.5 in. long
StemCaulescent
Typical Diameter8 in.
Typical Height16 in.
Flowering SeasonSummer

References

  1. [1]
    S. Carter, J. J. Lavranos, L. E. Newton, and C. C. Walker, Aloes: The Definitive Guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2011.
  2. [2]
    B.-E. van Wyk and G. F. Smith, Guide to the Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. Pretoria: Briza Publications, 2014.
  3. [3]
    D. S. Hardy, H. F. Glen, and G. Germishuizen, “ALOACEAE,” Flora of Southern Africa, vol. 5, p. 17, 2000.