Aloes

Aloes - Winter Glory

It is during the cool, dry winter months that aloes become a striking feature of the South African Bushveld, Highveld and Karoo. Most of these succulent plants are inconspicuous during the green summer months, but in winter they produce magnificent flower spikes to illuminate the dusty, ochre and tan landscapes in which they grow. Because most species tend to grow in colonies, the flowering show is often quite breathtaking.

Family traits

Aloes are characterised by flat succulent leaves, arranged in a rosette pattern. They vary in size from massive "tree aloes" with thick fibrous trunks, to tiny, ground-hugging miniatures. The tubular flowers in shades of red, orange or yellow are massed on spikes which may be singular or branched. Aloes belong to the family Asphodelaceae, which includes the red-hot pokers and bulbines. The exotic Sisal (Agave sisalina) and its relatives are often mistaken for aloes, since they have a similar arrangement of succulent leaves, but the huge green and white inflorescence of these central American plants are quite distinctive.

Cosmetics and medicines

With the growing trend towards natural products, aloe gel has become widely used in skin and hair care products such as moisturising cream, conditioner and sunscreens. The inner part of the fleshy leaf is separated and crushed to form a liquid gel or dry powder.

Traditionally, an Arabian species - Aloe vera - has been the source of this gel, and this plant is now cultivated in various parts of the world, from Mexico to China, where a hot, dry climate prevails. A local South African species - Aloe ferox - has recently been found to have similar properties, and is being used on an increasing basis. The harvesting of leaves from this aloe is an important local industry in parts of the Eastern Cape, and South African products such as Alcare are growing in popularity.

From a medicinal point of view, the sap (resin) from a cut aloe leaf is boiled, solidified and crushed into a powder, for use as a powerful purgative drug. This is used extensively by traditional healers for stomach complaints and as a laxative, but is also exported around the world as "Cape Aloes" or "Aloe Lump". Again, it is Aloe ferox that is commercially used, but others may be utilised in regions where this species is absent.

Popular garden subjects

Because they require little attention and put on such an impressive show in winter, aloes are popular garden subjects in many South African towns and cities. In addition to providing a blast of colour when it is most appreciated, aloes also serve to attract a host of birds with their sweet nectar. Iridescent sunbirds are the most frequent visitors to aloe flowers, but starlings, orioles, weavers and others also partake of the sugary feast. The aloe flowers also attract hordes of insects, especially bees, wasps and ants which, in turn, stimulate other natural food chains.

Further Reading

Highly recommended, is the excellent identification book 'Guide to the Aloes of South Africa' by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Gideon Smith (Briza, 1996). Long out of print are the monumental 'The Aloes of South Africa' by G,W Reynolds (Balkema, 1950) and the finely illustrated 'South African Aloes' by Barbara Jeppe (Purnell, 1969). These books may be searched for (and if you're lucky obtained), at www.kalahari.net

Posted: Plants by CC Africa, Date: 21 November 2006