Aloe littoralis
Baker
Mopane aloe, Windhoek aloe
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Summary
Source: WikipediaAloe littoralis is a flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is a succulent native to arid regions in South Tropical Africa and Southern Africa.
Description
A plant with a single stem. It grows to 3.5 m high. It is densely covered with old dry leaves along the trunk. The leaves are erect and greyish-green. The edges of the leaves have sharp light brown teeth. The flower heads are branched. The flowers are in dense pointed spikes. They are rose-red and the tips turn yellow.
Edible Uses
The juicy leaves are eaten raw or boiled. The flowers are used as a potherb and the flower stalk is cooked.
Traditional Uses
The flowers are used as a potherb. The flower stalk is cooked. The juicy leaves are eaten raw or boiled.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The flowers and various plant parts have traditional uses as a potherb.
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
A tropical plant. It grows in flat lowveld bushland. It requires an alkaline and well-drained soil. It can grow in arid places. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, India, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to about 1,000 metres. 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.
Notes
There are about 350-400 Aloe species. Also put in the family Aloaceae. Also put in the family Asphodelaceae.
Synonyms
References (15)
- Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 141
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 135
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 143
- Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 255
- Leger, S., 1997, A Description of Today's Use of Plants in West Bushmanland (Namibia). German Development Service. PO Box 220035, 14061 Berlin, Germany. http://www.sigridleger.de/book/
Show all 15 references Hide references
- Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 81
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 9
- Plowes, N. J. & Taylor, F. W., 1997, The Processing of Indigenous Fruits and other Wildfoods of Southern Africa. in Smartt, L. & Haq. (Eds) Domestication, Production and Utilization of New Crops. ICUC p 185
- Roodt, V., 1998, Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta. Medicinal Uses and Nutritional value. The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1. Shell Botswana. p 193
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 24th March 2011]
- Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 30 (As Aloe angolensis)
- Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. ser. 2, 1:263. 1878
- WATT
- Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179 (Also as Aloe angolensis)
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
