Common Name:

General Information

Aloe secundiflora is an evergreen, succulent, perennial plant that produces a dense rosette of about 20 spear-shaped leaves that can be 30 - 75cm long and 8 - 30cm wide at the base. The plant can be stemless, or with a short stem up to 30cm long; it is usually solitary, but sometimes suckers to form small groups[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and fermenting agent. The plant is harvested from the wild in Kenya on a commercial scale to obtain the exudate known as 'bitters' from its leaves[]. To protect wild populations and increase production, plantations are being established[]. It is planted to form live fences, and is grown as a garden ornamental in the tropics and subtropics[].
Aloe secundiflora is very widespread. However, it is likely that the species is at risk at a local level due to agricultural expansion and harvesting from the wild for medicinal use. Further studies are needed to determine whether or not it is globally threatened. The plant is currently classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is sometimes added as an ingredient to arrow poisons made with Acokanthera schimperi or Adenium obesum[].
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 - Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania.

Habitat

Grassland and open woodland on sandy soil at elevations from 600 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is well adapted to dry semi-arid conditions in the tropics and subtropics[]. It is not tolerant of frost[].
Prefers a position in full sun but also succeeds in light shade[]. Although Aloe secundiflora is drought tolerant it needs water to develop new leaves[].
In some areas, wild plants are harvested on a sustainable basis and the same plants can be used for many years. In areas where there is no established tradition of harvesting, wild plants are frequently destroyed while collecting the exudate[].
To harvest the exudate, a hole is dug in the ground and lined with a container. Cut leaves are arranged around the edge of the hole at an angle allowing the exudate to drain into the container[].
Harvesting of exudate 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 - 100ml of exudate[].
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 basal parts of the leaves are used in the fermentation of local beer[].

Medicinal

The leaf sap is drunk as an appetizer and anti-emetic. Diluted leaf sap is drunk as a cure for malaria, typhoid fever, diarrhoea, oedema, swollen diaphragm, nosebleed, headache, pneumonia, chest pain and as a disinfectant[].
The leaves are applied to wounds to assist healing[]. The exudate is applied into the eyes, to cure conjunctivitis. The bitter exudate is applied to nipples to wean children[].

Two products from the plant can be used commercially in the manufacture of medicinal and cosmetic preparations. One is the gel from the centre of the leaf, and the other is the exudate from longitudinal vessels situated at the outer sides of the vascular bundles of the leaves 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, whereas others occur in only a few. The major components of the leaf exudate of Aloe secundiflora are the anthrones aloenin, aloenin B, aloin A (barbaloin) and other aloin-derivatives. The exudate also contains chromones and phenylpyrones, and the phenyl-ethylamine alkaloid N-methyltyramine. No information is available on the polysaccharides in the gel. In a field experiment, the leaf extract was found to be significantly active against fowl typhoid caused by Salmonella gallinarum and against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chickens[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes used to form a live fence[].

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[].
Suckers

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