Common Name:

General Information

Aloe marlothii is an evergreen, succulent, tree-like plant usually growing 2 - 4 metres tall but occasionally to 6 metres. The plant usually has a solitary, unbranched stem, though sometimes it suckers to form small groups of plants[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible nectar, which is consumed locally. The dried exudate was formerly traded under the name 'Natal Aloe'[].

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

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Range

Southern Africa - Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

Stony, usually bare soils, often as the dominant species, at elevations from 1,000 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Sunbirds, Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics. It is a plant of summer rainfall areas, and therefore naturally thrives under warm wet summers and warm to cool, dry winters[]. The plant can tolerate at least light frosts[].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[]. Established plants are very 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 flowers are sucked for their sweet nectar[].

Medicinal

A leaf decoction is taken with porridge to treat stomach-ache and intestinal worms[]. The leaf pulp is rubbed on nipples to wean children[]. The burned dried leaves are mixed with snuff[]. The leaves show strong in-vitro anthelminthic activity[].

A root decoction is used for treating roundworm infestations[295[.

The distinctive constituents in Aloe leaves are phenolic compounds, including chromone, anthraquinone or anthrone derivatives. Some of the compounds are found in many species, whereas others occur in only a few[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Aloe marlothii is planted as a live fence[].
Aloe marlothii is an important bee plant[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[].

Ash from the leaves, mixed with maize, effectively protects the latter from storage pests[].

Propagation

Seed - easily propagated, sow the seed 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[].

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