Common Name:

General Information

Aloe volkensii is a succulent, evergreen shrub or a tree usually growing up to 3 metres tall, exceptionally to 9 metres.
The stem can be solitary or clustered, up to 30cm in diameter, simple or branching from above the base, with persistent dead leaves. Each stem is topped by a rosette of spear-shaped leaves that can be up to 100cm long and 10cm wide at their base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food preservative and ferment agent. It is sometimes grown as a live fence.
The plant has a very wide range and is quite common, though there are some threats from land conversion for agriculture (crops and livestock) and succulent collectors. It 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 - Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania.

Habitat

Dry, riverine forest and bush on rocky localities at elevations from sea-level to 2,100 metres[]. Thickets in bushed grassland and on steep rocky slopes in dense riverine woodland. Seems to always occur near rivers[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can tolerate at least some frost[].

For medicinal use leaves are primarily harvested from wild plants in a non-destructive way[].
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

Roots are used to accelerate the fermentation of honey beer and to impart a slightly bitter taste[].

Medicinal

The leaf sap is taken to expel a retained placenta[]. The leaves are used to deworm livestock[].
The leaf sap is applied to burns, wounds and sores and as a lotion to eyes[].

The bitter exudate is applied to nipples to wean children and is rubbed on the forehead to treat headache[]. In Rwanda it is taken as a purgative[].

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[].
Exudate of Aloe volkensii contains a mixture of the stereoisomers aloin A (barbaloin) and aloin B (isobarbaloin), which are responsible for the laxative properties[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Aloe volkensii is planted as a live fence[].

Other Uses

Small amounts of leaf sap are added to butter to increase its shelf life[].

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[].
Cuttings are used to establish live fences of Aloe volkensii[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 100?