Aloe ×caesia Salm-Dyck (Asphodelaceae) is the correct name of the common hybrid aloe [Aloe arborescens Mill. × A. ferox Mill.] from the southern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Several names have been published for the common and horticulturally popular hybrid between Aloe arborescens Mill. and A. ferox Mill. (Asphodelaceae). Although inevitably a variable entity given its hybrid origin, this nothospecies can generally be recognised by being a strongly rosulate, multi-stemmed, robust shrub with glaucous to dark green leaves that are very much intermediate between those of A. arborescens and A. ferox. Plants are very floriferous with flower colour ranging from orange to red. The taxonomy and nomenclature of this nothospecies that has been known since the early 1700s, but was only described more than 100 years later, is reviewed. It is shown that the correct name to apply to it is Aloe ×caesia Salm-Dyck. The following names are typified here: Aloe africana Salm-Dyck non Mill., Aloe ×fulgens Tod., Aloe ×principis (Haw.) Stearn, Aloe ×salm-dyckiana Schult. & Schult.f., and Pachidendron ×principis Haw.