Summary: Aloe ferox (Cape aloe) is a plant in the Asphodelaceae family. Verdica documents 0 traditional uses, 0 phytochemical compounds, and 0 herb-drug interactions for this species.
Cape Aloe. Aloe ferox. Other known names are Bitter Aloe, Red Aloe, Cape Aloe, and Alligator Jaw Aloe. Indigenous to South Africa but is now widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics, Cape aloe (Aloe ferox) is a tall, single-stem, succulent evergreen tree. It has thick and fleshy leaves arranged in rosette, with spines along the leaf margins. The flowers are red or orange in color in multi-branched inflorescence. Cape aloe grows from 2 - 4 meters, occasionally to 5 meters. Like other aloe species, it is widely used in traditional and conventional medicine and as an ornamental plant and often potted in cooler climates. It is used to make bitter aloes and it yields a non-bitter gel used in cosmetics. The gel from the leaves is used for treating skin conditions like burns, wounds, abrasions, and irritations. It also is used in scalp to promote hair growth and prevent dandruff. In South Africa, the gel is used to make a jam and as an ingredient in food and drinks. Dry leaves are used in making herbal tea and the flowers are sucked for their sweet nectar. The leaf ash is used as an insect repellent. Cape aloe is drought-tolerant. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low — drought tolerant |
| Soil | Well-drained, acidic |
| Hardiness Zone | USDA 9-11 |
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