Gonialoe


Gonialoe is a small genus of three succulent plant species—Gonialoe dinteri, Gonialoe sladeniana and Gonialoe variegataendemic to coastal South Africa, Namibia and Angola. They were formerly included within the larger, related genus Aloe.

Taxonomy

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 consists of several relatively unrelated groups.
The same studies suggested that the closest relatives of this proposed genus were the related genera Astroloba and Tulista.

Species

The three species of this genus can easily be recognised by their compact, triangular leaves forming three vertical or spiraling ranks.
ImageScientific nameDistribution
Gonialoe dinteri Boatwr. & J.C.ManningNamibia
Gonialoe sladeniana Boatwr. & J.C.Manningcentral Namibia, south-west of Windhoek
Gonialoe variegata Boatwr. & J.C.ManningSouth Africa