Aloidendron pillansii (L.Guthrie) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.
Endangered Indigenous

Morphological description

Plant a tree up to 10 met. high (sometimes higher), 1-2 met. diam. at base, gradually narrowing upwards, dichotomously branched about the middle, with few to many branches, the branches smooth, erect or slightly divergent, about 20 cm diam., simple to dichotomously branched and rebranched. Leaves lanceolate-attenuate, densely rosulate at apices of branches, spreading to slightly falcate, 50-60 cm long, 10-12 cm broad at base, about 15 mm thick near base, smooth, without spots or lines, grey-green to brownish-green; upper surface flat near base, canaliculate upwards; lower surface convex; margins denticulate, with a white edge and crowded white 1 mm long teeth in lower half of leaf, larger (2 mm) and about 5-8 mm distant upwards. Inflorescence a branched panicle, 1-3 simultaneously, springing laterally from the axils of the lowest leaves, about 50 cm long, and bearing up to 50 racemes. Peduncle flattened at base and about 4 cm diam., severely decurved shortly above the base, branched from the middle, thence ascending, with the racemes oblique to erect. Racemes cylindric, laxly flowered, the terminal up to 15 cm long and about 30-flowered, the lateral shorter and fewer flowered, the shortest racemes 6-8 cm long and about 14-flowered, in erect racemes the flowers evenly distributed around the axis, in oblique racemes the flowers erectly sub-secund. Bracts filiform, almost hair-like, slightly broadened at base, a little shorter than their pedicels. Pedicels pale green, 10 mm long. Perianth lemon-yellow to yellow, up to 35 mm long, thick and fleshy, rounded and markedly stipitate at base, about 12 mm diam. near base and almost circular in cross-section, slightly narrowing to the throat; outer segments free for 25 mm (tube 10 mm), obscurely nerved, the apices green, sub-acute, revolute; inner segments free, narrower and slightly longer than the outer, with thin white edges and a slight keel turning green at apex, the apices more obtuse, spreading to revolute. Filaments markedly flattened, the 3 inner narrower and lengthening in advance of the 3 outer which are 3 mm broad at the middle. Anthers reddish-brown, the 3 inner and 3 outer in turn exserted 10 mm Style filiform, with the stigma at length exserted 15 mm. Ovary globose, light green, 6 mm long, 6 mm diam. Capsule 33 mm long, 25 mm diam. at the middle, markedly stipitate. From: Reynolds, GW. 1974. Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. [All rights reserved] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Tree aloe, 1-12 m tall. Branches robust, erect, never spreading, carrying large rosettes at terminal ends. Leaves grey-green, fairly large, up to 600 mm long, ± 100 mm wide at base, distinctly clasping branches, margins with small white teeth. Flowers in branched, recurved racemes arising from lowest leaves of rosettes, yellow, slightly swollen in middle. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF. 2013. Asphodelaceae: Aloe. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 45-48. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Trees 10-12 m or more tall, sparsely branched. Leaves many per rosette, 350-600 x 100-120 mm, shallowly biconvex to shallowly channelled, grey-green to brownish green. Inflorescence lateral, pendent, with up to 50 racemes; these oblique to erect, lax to subdense; bracts filiform, 3-6 mm long. Flowers lemon-yellow to butter-yellow, 25-35 mm long; outer segments connate for 7-10 mm, inner segments free; pedicels 7-15 mm long. Anthers exserted 7-10 mm. Ovary 6-7 x 2-6 mm, pale green; style exserted 12-20 mm. Fruit 24-50 x 18-25 mm, pale buff. Seeds buff, ±14 x 7 x 2 mm, including a broad wing. From: Glen, HF; Hardy, DS. 2000. Aloe. In: G Germishuizen & E du Plessis (eds), Aloaceae (first part). Fl. S. Africa 5(1,1): 1-167. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209564#page/3/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Diagnostic description

Apart from its general habit of growth and its thick smooth dichotomous branches, the most distinctive (and unexpected) feature of A. pillansii is the method of producing the inflorescences laterally from the axils of the lowest leaves. The peduncle is sharply decurved near base, branched about the middle, with the branches ascending and the racemes sub-erect to erect. The whole inflorescence (about 50 cm long) hangs downwards in between the lowest leaves, with the racemes upturned, so that the base of the peduncle is usually a little higher than the terminal raceme. This character appears to be unique in the genus Aloe. In racemes which are erect, the flowers are evenly distributed around the axis, but in oblique racemes the flowers are erectly sub-secund. A. pillansii is usually branched about the middle or lower, and ranges from few to many compactly or divaricately branched trees. Young simple-stemmed plants reach a height of 1.8-2.7 m [as '6-9 ft.'] before dividing at the summit and branching commences. Occasionally one sees a simple-stemmed plant 6-9 m [as '20-30 ft.'] high, forked at the summit, but this is not typical. In structure, size, shape and yellow flowers, A. pillansii, A. ramosissima and A. dichtoma are almost indistinguishable, but in size, branching and leaves, they could never be confused, while the inflorescence of A. pillansii immediately separates it from all other species. From: Reynolds, GW. 1974. Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. [All rights reserved] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Habitat

A. pillansii grows under intensely hot and arid conditions. Summer temperatures not infrequently reach 110 deg. F., while sometimes a few years pass without rain falling. From: Reynolds, GW. 1974. Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. [All rights reserved] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Stony hillsides. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF. 2013. Asphodelaceae: Aloe. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 45-48. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Aloe pillansii is restricted to stony hillsides almost devoid of soil in succulent karoo at low altitude. From: Glen, HF; Hardy, DS. 2000. Aloe. In: G Germishuizen & E du Plessis (eds), Aloaceae (first part). Fl. S. Africa 5(1,1): 1-167. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209564#page/3/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Distribution

It therefore seems that A. pillansii extends from Cornell's Kop in the south, to the Brandberg 120 miles north of Swakopmund in the north. From: Reynolds, GW. 1974. Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. [All rights reserved] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Richtersveld and adjacent parts of southern Namibia. From: Klopper, RR; Smith, GF. 2013. Asphodelaceae: Aloe. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 45-48. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

In the Richtersveld and adjacent parts of Namibia. In Namibia it seems to be an indicator of heavy-metal soils. From: Glen, HF; Hardy, DS. 2000. Aloe. In: G Germishuizen & E du Plessis (eds), Aloaceae (first part). Fl. S. Africa 5(1,1): 1-167. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209564#page/3/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

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Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Aloidendron pillansii (L.Guthrie) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.

Published in: Phytotaxa 76(1): 9 (2013)

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape: Cornell's Kop, west of Annisfontein, October 1926, N.S. Pillans 5012 (BOL140227, BOL140228, holo.; K000256752, iso.)

Synonym(s)

Aloe pillansii L.Guthrie

Published in: J. Bot. 66: 15 (1928)

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape: Cornell's Kop, west of Annisfontein, October 1926, N.S. Pillans 5012 (BOL140227, BOL140228, holo.; K000256752, iso.)


Aloe dichotoma Masson subsp. pillansii (L.Guthrie) Zonn.

Published in: Bradleya 20: 10 (2002)

Type: South Africa, Northern Cape: Cornell's Kop, west of Annisfontein, October 1926, N.S. Pillans 5012 (BOL140227, BOL140228, holo.; K000256752, iso.)


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

SUBFAMILY Alooideae

SPECIES pillansii

47 results for Aloidendron pillansii (L.Guthrie) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.

Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0093556-0 Collector(s) & number: Werdermann, E, 609 | 1958-8-15

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0093552-0 Collector(s) & number: Reynolds, GW, 4770 | 1946-12-7

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0093554-0 Collector(s) & number: Hardy, DS, 549 | 1961-9-10

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0111458-0 Collector(s) & number: Hardy, DS, 2624 | 1968-9-22

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0093555-0 Collector(s) & number: Rodin, RJ, 1583 | 1947-10-10

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0093557-0 Collector(s) & number: Leistner, OA, 3472 | 1969-5-15

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0093553-0 Collector(s) & number: Reynolds, GW, 5282 | 1947-10-9

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067884-4 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 869 | 1953-9-21

General notes: Rich yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0065528A-0 Collector(s) & number: van Heerden, P, s.n. | 1947-10-9

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0273540-0 Collector(s) & number: Unknown, s.n. | -10-

General notes: Flowers in October. Plant height about 25 ft.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191205-2 Collector(s) & number: Reynolds, GW, 5282 | 1947-10-9

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191204-0 Collector(s) & number: Reynolds, GW, 4769 - 4771 | 1946-12-6

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0893448-0 Collector(s) & number: Klaassen, ES, EK181 | 2001-11-6

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067884-2 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 869 | 1953-9-21

General notes: Rich yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191205-1 Collector(s) & number: Reynolds, GW, 5282 | 1947-10-9

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191202-0 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, s.n. | 1953-2-

General notes: Blooms in the Spring and the seeds ripen in May, we found a few seeds left in the old flowers heads. Photograph taken mid July 1961. E.A.K. Middlemost.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0095186-2 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 656 | 1969-9-26

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067884-3 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 869 | 1953-9-21

General notes: Rich yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067885-1 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 623 | 1953-2-18

General notes: Fruiting lateral peduncle.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0095186-1 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 656 | 1969-9-26

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0095186-4 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 656 | 1969-9-26

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067884-1 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 869 | 1953-9-21

General notes: Rich yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191224-0 Collector(s) & number: Unknown, s.n. | --

General notes: Flowers in October. Height about 25 ft.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067885-2 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 623 | 1953-2-18

General notes: Fruiting lateral peduncle.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067885-3 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 623 | 1953-2-18

General notes: Fruiting lateral peduncle.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0191201-0 Collector(s) & number: Middlemost, EAR, s.n. | --

General notes: Photo E.A.K. Middlemost.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0067884-5 Collector(s) & number: Hall, H, 869 | 1953-9-21

General notes: Rich yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0095186-3 Collector(s) & number: Wisura, W, 656 | 1969-9-26

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 10/12/2014 9:52:36 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Collector(s) & number: User 1054872 , Unkown | 2014-11-05

South Africa , Northern Cape

Data Resource: View record

Collector(s) & number: User 1207922 , Unkown | 2012-05-05

South Africa , Northern Cape

Data Resource: View record

Collector(s) & number: User 1058750 , Unkown | 1991-07-08

South Africa , Northern Cape

Data Resource: View record

Barcode: BHD390 | Collector(s) & number: Barnabas H. Daru, Bruce Bayer , Unkown | 2010-05-25

South Africa , Northern Cape

Data Resource: Research Collection of Bruce Bayer View record

Date: 7/30/2010 12:00:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 4/13/2012 12:00:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 4/4/2011 12:00:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 6/26/2012 12:47:00 PM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/8/2013 9:44:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/8/2013 9:45:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 6/8/2021 10:37:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 8/18/2021 8:30:00 AM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 12/3/2022 12:37:00 PM

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:
This is a sensitive species therefore data has been redacted, click here to login.

2013

SERIES CHAPTER

Asphodelaceae: Aloe Klopper, RR; Smith, GF

In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 45-48

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2011

SERIES

The aloe names book Grace, OM; Klopper, RR; Figueiredo, E; Smith, GF

Strelitzia 28: 1-232

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2000

FLORA

Aloe Glen, HF; Hardy, DS

In: G Germishuizen & E du Plessis (eds), Aloaceae (first part). Flora of Southern Africa 5(1),11-167

National Botanical Institute, Pretoria

1974

BOOK

Aloes of South Africa, 3rd ed. Reynolds, GW

A.A. Balkema, Cape Town

No results found for Aloidendron pillansii (L.Guthrie) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm.

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Part(s) of plant used Use(s) Reference

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