Common Name:

General Information

Aloe littoralis is a spiny, evergreen, succulent tree-like plant growing 2 - 4 metres tall. The plant generally has a single stem, though in some parts of its native range the plants are stemless[].
The edible flowers and leaves are sometimes harvested from the wild as a local food. The plant also has local medicinal uses. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern tropical Africa - Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, S. Africa.

Habitat

Shallow depressions and open seasonal pans, in sandy soils in dry deciduous shrubland and woodland at elevations from 200 - 1,065 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw or cooked[, ]. Used as a spinach-like potherb[]. The flowers can be cooked lightly, the moisture squeezed out of them, and then dried in the sun to a stiff paste - this stores for quite some time and bits can simply be broken off and added to other dishes as required[].

The juicy leaves are said to be tasty both raw and boiled[].

Medicinal

The leaf sap is applied to cure eye problems and to arrest progress of venereal disease[]. Powdered leaves are an effective anti-inflammatory[]. Daily use of the leaf extract is said to be effective as a malaria prophylaxis[]. Chopped leaves, boiled in water are purgative both for humans and livestock[].

The pollen is believed to have some rejuvenating qualities[].

The distinctive constituents in Aloe leaves are phenolic compounds, including chromone, anthraquinone or anthrone derivatives. Some of the compounds are found in many species, whereas others occur in only a few[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].

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