Aloe secundiflora aka African Aloe

Aloe secundiflora is an evergreen succulent, a plant with fleshy leaves. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. Its native range runs from southern Ethiopia to Tanzania. It grows in grassland and open woods with sandy soil. These sites lie at 1,970–6,560 feet [600–2,000 metres] above sea level. A tropical climate with a dry season suits this plant. People grow it in gardens and harvest wild plants for local use.

The plant reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] tall. Around 20 spear-shaped leaves form a tight ring, or rosette. Each leaf measures about 1–2.5 feet [0.3–0.75 metres] long. Leaf bases span 0.26–0.98 feet [0.08–0.3 metres] across. Some plants have no stem that shows above ground. Others have a short stem reaching 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Most plants grow alone. New shoots called suckers can form small groups. The leaves stay on the plant all year round.

This aloe grows in warm tropical and subtropical regions. It copes with dry, semi-arid sites but cannot stand frost. Full sun suits it best. It also grows in light shade. It copes with drought but needs water to make new leaves. Growers use it in gardens and as a living fence. People also grow it for its rosette shape. Both wild plants and those people grow supply useful leaf products.

People use the leaf bases to help ferment local beer. This use does not show that the whole leaf is edible. In folk medicine, people use leaf sap for several ailments. They also apply leaves to wounds to help them heal. These records describe past use, not proof that the treatments work. Leaf gel and bitter exudate, or fluid, supply products for health and beauty uses. Some arrow-poison mixes use this plant along with other species.

In Kenya, people harvest the bitter leaf fluid for sale. Known harvest methods can keep plants yielding for many years. Without those methods, taking the fluid can destroy plants. Plantations aim to spare wild stocks while raising the supply. The cited 2013 IUCN review lists the species as Least Concern. Even so, the spread of farms may threaten local groups. Harvest for use in medicine may also threaten them. The source calls for more study of these threats.