Common Name:

General Information

Aloe lateritia is a succulent, evergreen, perennial plant producing a dense rosette of leaves that can be 25 - 50cm long and 5 - 10cm wide at the base. The plant can be stemless or, especially in older plants, with a stem up to 50cm long. The plant often suckers to form small groups[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, aid to ferment and source of a dye. It is widely harvested for the medicinal 'bitter aloes' which are traded internationally. The plant is sometimes grown as a garden ornamental in the tropics and subtropics[].
Aloe lateritia is one of the Aloe species in Kenya harvested illegally from the wild. It appears that there is substantial international trade in processed exudate, but the exported product is probably a mixture of exudate from several species. Informal figures for 2003 suggest that up to 85,000 kg of solid ‘bitters’ with a market value of about US$ 840,000 are exported from Kenya per year[].The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The sap of Aloe species contains anthraquinones. These compounds have several beneficial medicinal actions, particularly as a laxative, and many species of Aloe are thus employed in traditional medicine. Whilst safe in small doses and for short periods of time, anthraquinones do have potential problems if used in excess. These include congestion and irritation of the pelvic organs[]. Long term use of anthraquinone laxatives may also play a role in development of colorectal cancer as they have genotoxic potential, and tumorigenic potential[].

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi.

Habitat

Grassland and open bushland, often on rocky slopes, at elevations from 250 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can tolerate light frosts[].
Succeeds in full sun to light shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
In order to harvest the exudate from Aloe lateritia leaves, a hole is dug in the ground and lined with a container, which may be a skin bag, polythene bag or plastic bowl. Leaves are cut and immediately arranged around the edge of the hole at an angle allowing the exudate to drain into the container. When no more sap is seen to be dripping from the leaves, the exudate is transferred to bottles or jerry cans for sale to a dealer[].
Harvesting of exudate of Aloe lateritia takes place throughout the year, though it has been observed that the yield is higher during rainy seasons. On average one mature plant can produce 80–100 ml of exudate[]
All Aloe species can survive dry periods well, thus making them a useful crop for semi-arid areas; they need water though in order to develop new leaves. Seedlings take a few years before they are large enough for harvesting[].
Aloe species follow the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). CAM plants can fix carbon dioxide at night and photosynthesize with closed stomata during the day, thus minimizing water loss. This, plus their succulent leaves and stems, and the presence of a thick cuticle, makes them well adapted to dry conditions[].

Edible Uses

The roots are pounded, boiled and added to beer, reputedly to increase fermentation[].

Medicinal

The leaf exudate is used for treating colds and malaria. A decoction of the leaves is taken to treat hepatitis. In some areas leaves are applied to wounds and are used to treat chicken diseases. A liquid obtained by pounding the leaves is drunk to relieve stomach-ache[].

A decoction of the roots, combined with Solanum incanum roots, is taken to treat anaemia[].

Two products from the leaves of Aloe species can be used commercially in the manufacture of medicinal and cosmetic preparations. One is the gel from the centre of the leaf, the other the exudate (usually yellow) from the longitudinal vessels situated at the outer poles of the vascular bundles of the leaves. In Kenya only the exudate is harvested, as it can be processed easily into a solid material suitable for trading, and known as 'bitters'[].

Distinctive constituents in Aloe leaves are phenolic compounds, notably chromone, anthraquinone or anthrone derivatives, but the chemistry varies considerably among species. Some of the compounds are found in many species, while others occur in only a few. From the exudate of Aloe lateritia the anthrone-C-glucosides homonataloin and aloin were isolated, both as 2 stereoisomers[].
Aloin is the active ingredient in the exudate and has purgative properties[].

Other Uses

The roots have been used as a dye, giving yellow to pink-brown colours[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no specific information on this species - in general Aloes are sown in a sandy, well-drained potting soil in a warm, shady position in standard seed trays. Germination takes about three weeks. Cover the seed with a thin layer of sand (1 - 2mm), keep moist. The seedlings can be planted out in individual bags or containers as soon as they are large enough to handle[].
Suckers.

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