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<big>''[[Aloe volkensii]]'' Engl.</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Aloe volkensii'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas: 141 (1895).
:Family: Asphodelaceae
:Chromosome number: 2''n'' = 14
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
Exudate of ''Aloe volkensii'' contains a mixture of the stereoisomers aloin A (barbaloin) and aloin B (isobarbaloin), which are responsible for the laxative properties.
== Botany Description ==
Succulent shrub or small tree up to 3(–9) m tall; stem solitary or clustered, up to 30 cm in diameter, simple or branching from above the base, with persistent dead leaves. Leaves in a rosette, erect, later spreading and recurved; stipules absent; petiole absent; blade narrowly lanceolate, up to 1 m × 10 cm, margin with forward pointing, brown-tipped teeth 2–4 mm long, 1–2.5 cm mm apart, blade dull olive-green; exudate yellow, drying red. Inflorescence consisting of head-like racemes c. 8 cm long, becoming cylindrical-conical; peduncle 50–60(–85) cm long, with 8 or more spreading branches, lowest with secondary branches; bracts broadly ovate, 2–5 mm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 3-merous; pedicel 1–1.5 cm long; perianth tubular, 2.5–3.5 cm long, 6–8 mm in diameter, lobes 6, 12–17 mm long, red with yellow tips; stamens 6, exserted; ovary superior, 3-celled, style filiform, stigma head-shaped, exserted. Fruit an ovoid capsule c. 3 cm × 1.5 cm, dehiscing loculicidally, many-seeded. Seeds c. 9 mm long, broadly winged.
=== ''Aloe ballyi'' ===
''[[Aloe ballyi]]'' Reynolds is a rare species from Kenya and Tanzania. Leaf sap is taken as a purgative but this is dangerous as it contains poisonous alkaloids. It is planted as an ornamental in the streets of Nairobi, Kenya.
=== ''Aloe christianii'' ===
''[[Aloe christianii]]'' Reynolds occurs in DR Congo, Tanzania and a large part of southern Africa. A leaf infusion is taken to induce abortion, but is considered too poisonous in Zimbabwe.
== Other botanical information =''Aloe excelsa'' = ==''[[Aloe excelsa]]'' A.Berger occurs in a large part of southern Africa. An infusion made of the leaves is taken as a malaria prophylactic and to cure stomach-ache, asthma and jaundice and is put in drinking water of chickens to prevent diseases. The leaves contain aloesin, anthraquinones and a C-glucoside.
=== ''Aloe littoralis'' ===
In Namibia the leaf sap of ''[[Aloe littoralis]]'' Baker is applied to cure eye problems and to arrest progress of venereal disease. Powdered leaves are an effective anti-inflammatory. Daily use of leaf extract is said to be effective as a malaria prophylaxis. Chopped leaves, boiled in water are purgative both for humans and livestock. Chopped leaves added to drinking water protect cattle against ticks and ear lice and chickens against lice.
=== ''Aloe marlothii'' ===
''[[Aloe marlothii]]'' A.Berger occurs in Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland and northern South Africa. A leaf decoction is taken with porridge to treat stomach-ache and intestinal worms. The leaf pulp is rubbed on nipples to wean children. The burned dried leaves are mixed with snuff. ''Aloe marlothii'' is planted as a live fence. The leaves show strong in-vitro anthelminthic activity. Ash from the leaves, mixed with maize, effectively protects the latter from storage pests. The dried exudate was formerly traded under the name ‘Natal aloe’. ''Aloe marlothii'' is an important bee plant. The roots dye yellow.
== Ecology ==
== Author(s) ==
* C.H. Bosch , PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
== Correct citation of this article ==
Bosch, C.H., 2006. '''Aloe volkensii''' Engl. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]