Gonialoe (the partridge aloes) is a small genus of three succulent plant species—Gonialoe dinteri, Gonialoe sladeniana and Gonialoe variegata—endemic 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.Manning, John; Boatwright, James S.; Daru, Barnabas H.; Maurin, Olivier; van der Bank, Michelle. (2014) "A Molecular Phylogeny and Generic Classification of Asphodelaceae subfamily Alooideae: A Final Resolution of the Prickly Issue of Polyphyly in the Alooids?" Systematic Botany 39(1), pp. 55-74
Species The three species of this genus can easily be recognised by their compact, triangular leaves forming three vertical or spiraling ranks (trifarious).Molteno, S. (2022) "Phyllotaxis in Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae: a tool in taxon delimitation." Haseltonia 28(1), https://doi.org/10.2985/026.028.0107
Image Scientific name Distribution Gonialoe dinteri (A.Berger) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning Namibia Gonialoe sladeniana (Pole-Evans) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning central Namibia, south-west of Windhoek Gonialoe variegata (L.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning South Africa (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State.)Van Wyk, B-E. & Smith, G.F. (1996) Guide to aloes of South Africa Briza Publications, Pretoria.
References
External links