Aloe kedongensis
Reynolds
Kenya aloe
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Pádraic Flood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Pádraic Flood
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Pádraic Flood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Pádraic Flood
Summary
Source: WikipediaAloe kedongensis (the "Kenyan Aloe") is a species of aloe which occurs in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Along with Aloe dawei and Aloe rivae, it is very commonly used for hedges in East Africa.
Description
It has a thick clump of stems. They are 4 m long. The leaves are 60 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 50 cm long.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
Used in fermenting beer.
Medicinal Uses
Used medicinally.
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 Mediterranean climate plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania,
Cultivation
Succeeds in full sun and in light shade. 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 root easily.
Other Uses
The plant (part not specified) is used as a dye. Aloe kedongensis is planted to form live fences.
Notes
Also put in the family Asphodelaceae. It has 4 sets of Chromosomes (tetraploid)
Synonyms
References (2)
- Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
