The genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae : Alooideae) in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

The Eastern Cape is extremely diverse and is a climatic, topographic and geological transition zone. This transitional nature of the environment is reflected in the phytogeographical and phytosociological complexity of the Eastern Cape. The region has a very diverse flora comprising ca. 8 300 taxa (species and infraspecific taxa). A total of 39 aloes occur in the Eastern Cape of which ten (26%) are endemic to the area, with a further four (10%) being near-endemic. A key to the aloes of the Eastern Cape is provided, as well as a short description, distribution map and information on habitat, flowering time, and conservation status for each of the species.