Aloe ferox Mill.
Cape bitter aloe
Aloe ferox is the most important aloe from a medicinal and economic standpoint in South Africa, producing "Cape aloe" or Cape bitter, a bitter exudate from the leaf cortex with wide use in herbal medicine, cosmetics and pharmacopoeia. It is a single-stemmed tree aloe reaching 2–3 m in height, with impressive orange-red flower inflorescences harvested seasonally from wild and cultivated plants in the Eastern Cape.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Genus | Aloe |
| Growth Habit | Single-stemmed tree aloe, erect, 2–3 m height |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| pH Target | 6.0–7.5 |
| Type | Sandy-gravelly, poor, well-drained; tolerates degraded soils |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Lanceolate leaves 60–100 cm long, glaucous-green with reddish spots under stress, with reddish-brown marginal teeth 4–6 mm and face spines in adult specimens.
ecoSingle erect stem 2–3 m tall covered by persistent dry leaves forming a characteristic brown skirt.
ecoVery dense candelabra inflorescences with 5–8 branches bearing tubular flowers 3–4 cm long, intense orange-red. Flowering in the austral winter (July–August).
ecoExtensive shallow root system adapted to capture moisture from the scarce fogs and rains of Cape biomes.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Sandy-gravelly, poor, well-drained; tolerates degraded soils
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Sow in sand-perlite mix (3:1) at 22–26 °C with abundant diffuse light.
- 2 Keep slightly moist; germination in 2–3 weeks.
- 3 Thin to 5 cm spacing when seedlings have 3 leaves.
- 4 Transplant to individual pot at 8–10 months.
- 1 Separate basal offsets in spring with a clean knife when they are 10–15 cm.
- 2 Allow cuts to callus for 3–5 days in a dry semi-shaded location.
- 3 Plant in coarse sand; water lightly after 5–7 days.
- 4 Root in 4–6 weeks under warm conditions.
Hardy and adaptable plant; ideal for Mediterranean and climax gardens.
Over-watering in winter, especially in cold and wet climates.
Every 4–5 years in spring; preferably in permanent ground
NPK 5-10-15 very diluted, once or twice a year in spring
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Bitter aloe exudate in large doses is a powerful purgative; do not consume without medical supervision. Pure parenchyma gel safe for topical use.
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"The industrial harvest of A. ferox exudate is carried out by cutting leaves from 4–5 year old adult specimens in the South African Eastern Cape; the fresh exudate is sun-dried and crystallises forming the "Cape aloe" exported worldwide for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, being one of the few wild aloe products with legal and regulated international trade."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.