Aloe ferox
| Aloe ferox | |
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| Species: | A. ferox
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| Binomial name | |
| Aloe ferox | |
Aloe ferox, also known as Cape Aloe,[1][2] Bitter Aloe,[1][3] Red Aloe[3] and Tap Aloe,[1] is a species of aloe indigenous to South Africa's Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Lesotho.[2][4] Its leaves contain two juices; the yellow bitter sap is used as a laxative, and the white aloe gel is used in health drinks and skin care products.[2]
Aloe ferox is listed on the plant list of endangered plants (CITES - Appendix II) along with other wild species of this genus.
Aloe ferox can grow to 10 feet (3.0 m) in height, and can be found on rocky hills, in grassy fynbos and on the edges of the Karoo. The plants may differ physically from area to area due to local conditions.[3] Its leaves are thick and fleshy, arranged in rosettes, and have reddish-brown spines on the margins with smaller spines on the upper and lower surfaces. Its flowers are orange or red, and stand between 2 and 4 feet (0.61 and 1.22 m) above the leaves.[1]
Toxicity studies
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See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Aloe ferox". Floridata. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
- ^ a b c "The Aloe ferox Plant". Aloe Ferox Africa. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
- ^ a b c "Aloe ferox Mill". PlantzAfrica. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
- ^ "Aloe ferox, African Flowering Plants Database". South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
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