Gonialoe | |
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Gonialoe variegata | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asphodelaceae |
Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
Tribe: | Aloeae |
Genus: |
Gonialoe (Baker) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning |
Type species | |
Gonialoe variegata (L.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning |
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Species | |
Gonialoe (the partridge aloes) is a small genus of three succulent plant species, indigenous to South Africa, Namibia and Angola. They were formerly included within the related genus Aloe. The three species are Gonialoe variegata, Gonialoe sladeniana, Gonialoe dinteri.
The genus Aloe was found to be polyphyletic. It was accordingly divided into different genera: Aloe, Kumara, Aloiampelos, and Gonialoe among others. Several recent phylogenetic studies have confirmed this division, and shown that Aloe actually comprises several relatively unrelated groups.
The same studies suggested that the closest relatives of this proposed genus were the related genus Astroloba and Tulista.
The three species of this genus can easily be recognised by their compact, triangular leaves forming three ranks (trifarious).
Gonialoe dinteri (A.Berger) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning
Gonialoe sladeniana (Pole-Evans) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning
Gonialoe variegata (L.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning