Aloe helenae

Aloe helenae is a species of plant in the genus Aloe. It is endemic to Madagascar, and is an endangered species.

Aloe helenae
In cultivation in the Jardin botanique de Lyon
A young plant (private collection)
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asphodelaceae
Subfamily:	Asphodeloideae
Genus:	Aloe
Species:	A. helenae
Binomial name
Aloe helenae Danguy[3]

Description

Aloe helenae in the wild grows to about 4 m (13 ft) and does not usually offset, although it is known to do so in cultivation. The trunk has a rosette of leaves at the top. These are channeled and recurved, usually green but may have red tones in bright light or when stressed by drought. The inflorescence consists of racemes, each under 30 cm (1 ft) long. The flower buds are red, opening with pale yellow petals.^[4][5]

Taxonomy

Aloe helenae was first described by Paul Auguste Danguy in 1929.^[3] The specific epithet honors Helen Decary, the wife of Raymond Decary,^[4] who was the first to describe a number of Madagascan succulents.^[6]

Distribution

Aloe helenae is native to Madagascar. It is known only from few small populations in the former Toliara Province in the southwest of Madagascar. It grows in spiny forests in sandy soils.^[4] It is classified as "endangered" in the IUCN Red List.^[1]