Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Asphodelaceae Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Asphodeloideae | |
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Similar Aloe sect Lomatophyllum, Croton mauritianus, Dombeya populnea, Gastonia cutispongia, Aloe megalacantha | ||
Aloe macra (previously Lomatophyllum macrum. Locally known as the "Mazambron marron") is a species of Aloe endemic to the island of Réunion, in the Indian Ocean, where it was previously widespread on rocky slopes and outcrops.
Description
It is part of a group of aloes which bear fleshy berries, and were therefore classed as a separate group, "Lomatophyllum".
Within this group, it is most closely related to Aloe purpurea of neighbouring Mauritius, and the two plants look extremely similar. However Aloe macra can be distinguished by its shorter flowers and pedicels which are a much brighter red colour.
It grows a stem up to 30 cm long, with a rosette of green succulent leaves with red, toothed margins. It has a simple (rarely branched) inflorescence with cylindrical racemes. The short, bright red flowers develop berries if fertilised.
It was introduced to the neighbouring island of Mauritius early on, by F.Jaunet, as "Aloe bourbon" or "Aloe sylvestris". It is still cultivated in some gardens in that country.