A guest post by Estie for Notes from Africa
Last month in the post A drive to Hell and back there were some photographs of Aloe Ferox (Bitter Aloe) plants near the Swartberg Pass in the Southern Cape. Estie provides further information and photographs . . .
Bitter Aloe (Aloe ferox) at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa.
Wildspread and adaptable
The bitter Aloe can be seen growing wild from the Swellendam area, in the Western Cape, through the Eastern Cape into Southern Kwazulu-Natal. It grows in a wide range of habitats, including mountain slopes, rocky places, flat open places, and is found in grassland, grassy fynbos, on the margins of the Karoo, in both very dry and relatively wet places.
How true this caption (found at Kirstenbosch next to a Bitter Aloe) is. During a recent trip to the Karoo and Eastern Cape, I saw lots of sheep, wild springbok and other antelope, but my eyes registered the Aloe plants you find in the Karoo, Kirstenbosch and in Kommetjie. From nature conservation areas to gardens in the cities.
They are big striking plants and when they are in flower they make such a beautiful display that they have to brighten up your day.
Here they are seen at Kirstenbosch, the famous Botanical Gardens in Cape Town.
Aloe ferox is listed on the CITES list of endangered plants along with other wild species of this genus. So at Kirstenbosch, Aloes are sold at the annual plant sales along with other succulents.
Some more Aloes and succulents for sale . .
Additional Aloe Ferox facts (from Wikipedia)
- The species is indigenous to South Africa and Lesotho.
- The plants can grow to 10 feet (3.0 m) in height.
- What makes the Bitter Aloe so special is not just its beauty, but also its medicinal value. Its leaves contain two juices; the yellow bitter sap is used as a laxative, and the white aloe gel is used in health drinks and skin care products. The sap, however, is toxic to pregnant and breast feeding mothers . . . Read more
- Although the home remedies in which Aloe ferox are used are the same as those of Aloe vera, Aloe ferox is in less demand.
Fascinating… I always enjoy the sight of their bold flowers, so triumphantly held aloft like a burning flame, growing wild along the roadside. They always make me think “road trip”!
Did you know that, in the small town of Albertinia on the N2, there are two aloe factories? One is Alcare Aloe (or The House of Aloes) and right next to it is Aloe Ferox. I wonder whether they give tours?
Yes, I know about those factories and I love to buy goodies there. Tours would be very interesting, we have to find out about that.
How stunning the plants are when blooming! I have never seen such giant aloes in the US—or anywhere else in the world I’ve been. It’s great fun learning about them. Thanks, Estie! And thanks, Lisa, for another great post. We love you, Estie–and Lisa, too, of course!
Kathy
Thanks for your kind comment.
Beautiful orange flowers! It looks like these plants aren’t very high maintenance. Perfect for me. 🙂
Thanks for a really informative post, Estie!
They are great plants to forget about and then notice when the have great flowers.
Lovely post Estie!
Thank you. In our local paper were a whole series of people who took Aloe pictures during our winter holiday. It is seems that they made an impression on a lot of people.
Lovely pics. Aloes have become one of my favorite things about South Africa.
Glad you like them. I love the aloes.
The pictures look amazing.
Thank you, I am just enjoying nature and try to capture it.
Ps. Never cut open the aloe plant and taste the green slimy juice coming out of it. Take my advice and don’t do it….
Hi Alvin! Thanks for your comment. Do you have personal experience of this?!