Aloe macrocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aloe macrocarpa var. major
• Aloe edulis
• Aloe borziana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asparagales and the family Asphodelaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Aloe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Benin, Burkina, and Mali. Its presence extends further south within the same region to include Nigeria. Additionally, the species reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range in that area is documented in Djibouti.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aloe macrocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Classified under the life form of chamaephyte, it maintains its photosynthetic structures relatively close to the ground, which aids in its survival within its specific ecological niche. The species is consistently evergreen, retaining its foliage throughout the year without a seasonal shedding period. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a resilient, low-growing growth habit enables the plant to maintain stability and continuous vegetative presence in its environment.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aloe macrocarpa is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, typically exhibiting a self-supporting habit. This species maintains a relatively compact stature with a mean plant height of approximately 0.5 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and grows in a terrestrial manner rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aloe macrocarpa is characterized by specialized metabolic processes designed for survival in arid environments, primarily driven by Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). This photosynthetic pathway allows the plant to minimize transpirational water loss by keeping its stomata closed during the heat of the day and opening them at night to collect carbon dioxide, which is then stored as malic acid. The plant's succulent leaves function as highly efficient water reservoirs, utilizing large vacuoles to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate nutrient transport. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Aloe macrocarpa is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and nitrogen uptake are entirely dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aloe macrocarpa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aloinoside.

Aloinoside

1. Malaria journal

Preparations

Aloe macrocarpa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leave latex.

Leave latex

1. Malaria journal