Aloe sect. Lomatophyllum
Aloe sect. Lomatophyllum is a taxonomic section within the genus Aloe, comprising species of Aloe from Madagascar and the Mascareigne islands. It has been treated as a separate genus, Lomatophyllum. These species are distinguished by having fleshy berries of unwinged seeds. A 2018 study suggested that the section was paraphyletic and that fleshy berries were a derived characteristic.
Description
The aloes of this section are all shrubby and form short stems, topped with succulent lanceolate leaves. The flowers appear in racemes and range in colour from orange or yellow to red. The plants produce fleshy berries which contain the seeds.
Taxonomy
Species placed in Aloe sect. Lomatophyllum were previously placed in a separate genus, Lomatophyllum. They were later included in Aloe based on morphology, cytology and differences in their chemistry. A molecular phylogenetic study in 2018 suggested that the section was paraphyletic. Fleshy fruits, used to characterize the section, have been shown to be an evolutionary adaptation to shady forest habitats, and are likely to be a derived trait rather than a synapomorphy.
Species
Species that have formerly been placed in Lomatophyllum according to Plants of the World Online as of 2025, or are placed in the section by other sources, include:Aloe aldabrensis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – indigenous to West Island, Aldabra Atoll, SeychellesAloe ambrensis J.-B.Castillon – Madagascar Aloe analavelonensis Letsara, Rakotoar. & Almeda - Madagascar Aloe ankaranensis Rauh & Mangelsdorff - MadagascarAloe anivoranoensis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – Madagascar Aloe antsingyensis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – Madagascar Aloe belavenokensis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe beankaensis Letsara, Rakotoar. & Almeda - MadagascarAloe boiteaui Guillaumin – SE MadagascarAloe citrea L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe delphinensis Rauh – N.E. MadagascarAloe ivakoanyensis Letsara, Rakotoar. & Almeda – MadagascarAloe lomatophylloides Marais – endemic to the island of RodriguesAloe macra Haw. – endemic to the island of RéunionAloe megalocarpa Lavranos – MadagascarAloe namorokaensis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe occidentalis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – Western half of MadagascarAloe oligophylla – MadagascarAloe orientalis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – Eastern half of MadagascarAloe pembana L.E.Newton – Pemba IslandAloe peyrierasii Cremers – Northern MadagascarAloe propagulifera L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe prostrata L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe purpurea Lam. – endemic to the island of MauritiusAloe rosea L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe socialis L.E.Newton & G.D.Rowley – MadagascarAloe tormentorii – endemic to the island of MauritiusAloe zombitsiensis Rauh – Madagascar
Distribution
The species that have been placed in this section are all located on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Most are restricted to the island of Madagascar. A minority are indigenous to the smaller islands of Reunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Aldabra and Pemba. They likely radiated from Madagascar following the major ocean currents. Most of the species of the smaller Indian Ocean islands grow on beaches or very near to the coast. In some parts of their distribution, they are locally known as "mazambrons".