Common Name:

General Information

Aloe turkanensis is a succulent, evergreen shrub with a sprawling habit. The stem is ascending, becoming decumbent, growing up to 70cm long and branching from the base to form large clumps 2 metres or more across. Each stem is topped by a dense rosette of 14 - 18 spear-shaped leaves that can be up to 70cm long and 9cm wide at the base[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and flavouring for beer. It is harvested on a large scale as a source of 'bitters', which are traded for medicinal use[]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

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 - Uganda, Kenya.

Habitat

Stony, sandy soil or lava, usually in the shade of shrubs in arid areas at elevations from 600 - 1,250 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can tolerate light frosts[].
Prefers a position in full sun but also tolerates light shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
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 used to flavour beer[].

Medicinal

The leaf sap is applied to wounds and as a cure for eye diseases[].

The juice from boiled roots is added to a drink to induce vomiting, which is said to relieve persistent headaches[].

The main components of the leaf exudate are aloin A, aloin B and aloesone[].
From about 70 Aloe species checked, Aloe turkanensis had the highest aloin content, both in the exudate and in the leaf (31% and 6.6% of dry weight, respectively). Aloin is a mixture of the stereoisomers aloin A (barbaloin) and aloin B (isobarbaloin), and is responsible for the laxative properties[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].
Easily be propagated by suckers[].

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