© Thomas Brendler.
Aloe ferox Mill., Asphodelaceae
Synonyms: Aloe candelabrum A. Berger
Vernacular names: Cape aloes (English); aloès (French); Kap-Aloe (German); aloe del Capo (Italian); bitteraalwyn, Kaapse aalwyn (Afrikaans); umhlaba (Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho).
Geographical distribution: Eastern parts of South Africa
Description: A robust, single-stemmed succulent with broad, spiny leaves and usually bright red or orange flowers in erect racemes (Reynolds 1950, Van Wyk & Smith 2004).
Chemical constituents: Hydroxyanthracene derivatives, mainly aloin (12-27%)
Medicinal uses: Cape aloes is an important laxative and is included in bitter tonics.
Known biological activities: Cape aloes is a stimulant laxative that irritates the mucous membranes of the colon, resulting in an increase in the secretion of mucus and thus a stimulation of peristalsis.