Lebombo Aloe

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aloe spicata L.f.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ASPHODELACEAE
Synonyms
Aloe sessiliflora Pole-Evans, Aloe tauri L.C.Leach
Common Names
Inhlaba (z), Lebombo Aloe (e), Lebombo-aalwyn (a), Tshikhopha (v)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018/10/03
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali
Justification
Aloe spicata is widespread, common and not in danger of extinction. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Endemism
Not endemic to South Africa
Provincial distribution
KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Range
It is widespread across eastern South Africa, and is particularly common in the Mpumalanga Lowveld. It also extends up the escarpment to scattered localities in the Limpopo Province. Further south it occurs along the Lebombo Mountains through eSwatini (Swaziland) to north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. It also occurs in southern Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Grassland, Savanna
Description
This species occurs in highly variable habitats, including a very wide altitudinal range from the Mpumalanga Lowveld to the top of the escarpment. Plants are often found in rocky areas, including steep slopes and cliffs, but show no preference for a particular geology or soil type.
Threats
Aloe plicata is very common and not threatened with extinction (Van Wyk and Smith 2014).
Population
Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aloe spicata L.f.Least Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. and Schmidt, E. 2018. Trees and shrubs Mozambique. Publishing Print Matters, Cape Town.


Glen, H.F. and Hardy, D.S. 2000. Aloaceae (First part): Aloe. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 5 Part 1, Fascicle 1:1-159. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Kativu, S. 2001. Asphodelaceae. In: G.V. Pope (ed). Flora Zambesiaca 12 (Part 3):25-48. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.


Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Van Wyk, B.-E. and Smith, G.F. 2014. Guide to the Aloes of South Africa. (Third ed.). Briza Publications, Pretoria.


Citation
Mtshali, H. 2018. Aloe spicata L.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/10

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Distribution map


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