Aloe volkensii
Engl.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kenneth Bader, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kenneth Bader
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kenneth Bader, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kenneth Bader
Summary
Source: WikipediaAloe volkensii is a species of plant widely distributed in East Africa.
Description
A thick fleshy herb. It has a stiff erect stem and can be 4 m tall. It can develop offsets from near the base. The leaves are long and slender. They are 60 cm long and curved and have teeth with brown tips along the edges. Deal leaves remain on the stem. The flowers are orange to red and 35 mm long.
Edible Uses
The roots are used to flavour honey beer and provide a slightly bitter taste during fermentation.
Traditional Uses
The roots are used to help the fermentation of honey beer and to give a slightly bitter flavour.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
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.
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.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows from near sea level to 1,900 m above sea level. It grows in dry bushveld often on rocky slopes.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda,
Cultivation
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.
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.
Other Uses
Small amounts of leaf sap are added to butter to increase its shelf life. Aloe volkensii is planted as a live fence.
Notes
Also put in the family Aloaceae. Also put in the family Asphodelaceae.
References (2)
- Johns, T., Mhoro, E. B. and Sanaya, P., 1996, Food Plants and Masticants of the Batemi of Ngorongoro District, Tanzania. Economic Botany, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 115-121
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
