Aloe wollastonii Rendle

Family

Asphodelaceae

Synonyms

Vernacular names

Mlalangao (Sw).

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Origin and geographic distribution

Aloe wollastonii is distributed from north-eastern DR Congo to western Kenya and Tanzania.

Uses

In DR Congo and Burundi exudate, crushed leaves and dried leaves are applied topically to cure haemorrhoids. In Uganda itchy skin rash is treated by bathing in an infusion of Aloe wollastonii leaves or by using the crushed leaves as a sponge. Uterine inflammation is treated by drinking an infusion of the leaves. A decoction of roots and leaves is drunk to cure jaundice. Veterinary applications of the leaves are multiple in DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Anthrax, piles, burns, parasites and retention of the afterbirth are ailments that are treated with fresh leaves or dried leaf powder, as is East Coast fever in cattle.

Properties

Aloe species contain a variety of phenolic compounds, including chromone, anthraquinone or anthrone derivatives. The leaf exudate of Aloe wollastonii contains about 15% aloin.

Botany

Succulent perennial herb up to 1.5 m tall, without stem, usually solitary. Leaves 12–15 in a dense rosette, erect to spreading; stipules absent; petiole absent; blade lanceolate, up to 50 cm × 10 cm, apex long-acuminate, margin with sharp white-horny to red-brown teeth 4–6 mm long, 1–2 cm apart, blade dull green with elongated white blotches in transverse bands; exudate drying yellow. Inflorescence consisting of cylindrical-conical racemes 10–25(–30) cm long, laxly flowered; peduncle up to 1.2 m long, with 4–6 branches, lower branches sometimes rebranched; bracts linear–lanceolate, (10–)15–20 mm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 3-merous; pedicel 1.5–2 cm long; perianth tubular, 3–3.5 cm long, c. 9 mm in diameter at base, lobes 6, c. 11 mm long, pinkish to orange-red, rarely yellow; stamens 6, exserted; ovary superior, 3-celled, style filiform, stigma head-shaped, exserted. Fruit an ovoid capsule c. 20 mm × 12 mm, dehiscing loculicidally, many-seeded. Seeds c. 3 mm × 5 mm, blackish brown with broad, speckled wings.
Aloe comprises about 450 species in Africa and Arabia, of which c. 315 occur in mainland Africa, c. 100 are endemic to Madagascar or the Indian Ocean islands (including the former Lomatophyllum) and c. 50 occur in Arabia. Aloe wollastonii has been confused in the literature with Aloe lateritia Engl., a species with a more eastern distribution and more densely flowered racemes. Aloe wollastonii belongs to a group of Aloe species with solitary rosettes or forming small groups, with leaves wider than 2 cm and inflorescences with at least 2 branches. Several other species in this group have medicinal uses. The exudate of Aloe citrina S.Carter & Brandham is used in Somalia to cure ophthalmia. The leaf juice of Aloe cryptopoda Baker is used in Zimbabwe to treat constipation, venereal diseases and as abortifacient, although the abortifacient activity of the infusion could not be demonstrated in tests with rats. The sap from roasted leaves of Aloe kilifiensis Christian from coastal Kenya is applied to the skin to reduce swelling. A decoction of the leaves is taken to cure an enlarged spleen. The exudate is used externally to treat headache. Aloe rivae Baker from Ethiopia and Kenya is threatened because of overexploitation for undocumented medicinal uses. In Sudan both the leaves and leaf exudate of Aloe sinkatana Reynolds are valued for treating a variety of ailments, including skin diseases, constipation, fever, tonsillitis, haemorrhoids and inflamed colon. Aloe sinkatana is valued as an ornamental. It is depleted in the wild and propagation and conservation measures are urgently needed.

Ecology

Aloe wollastonii is found in grassland and woodland at 1100–2300 m altitude.

Genetic resources and breeding

Aloe wollastonii is widespread and probably not under direct threat of genetic erosion or extinction, although it is included in CITES lists like all Aloe spp. except Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Prospects

As Aloe wollastonii produces few or no suckers it is not an obvious choice for commercial cultivation. Confusion with Aloe lateritia warrants review of the literature on chemistry and ethnobotany of both species.

Major references

• Carter, S., 1994. Aloaceae. In: Polhill, R.M. (Editor). Flora of Tropical East Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands. 60 pp.
• Kokwaro, J.O., 1993. Medicinal plants of East Africa. 2nd Edition. Kenya Literature Bureau, Nairobi, Kenya. 401 pp.
• Marshall, N.T., 1998. Searching for a cure: conservation of medicinal wildlife resources in East and Southern Africa. TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, United Kingdom. 112 pp.
• Tabuti, J.R.S., Lye, K.A. & Dhillion, S.S., 2003. Traditional herbal drugs of Bulamogi, Uganda: plants, use and administration. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 88: 19–44.

Other references

• Champluvier, D. & Maquet, P., 1988. Liliaceae. In: Troupin, G. (Editor). Flore du Rwanda: Spermatophytes. Volume 4. Institut National de Recherche Scientifique, Butare, Rwanda. pp. 20–59.
• CITES, 2003. Review of significant trade: East African Aloes. [Internet] http://www.cites.org/ eng/com/ PC/14/E-PC14-09-02-02-A4.pdf. Accessed May 2004.
• Baerts, M. & Lehmann, J., 2005. Aloe lateritia/ Aloe graminicola. [Internet]. Prelude Medicinal Plants Database. Metafro-Infosys, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium http://www.metafro.be/prelude. Accessed September 2005.
• Newton, L.E., 2001. Aloe In: Eggli, U. (Editor). Illustrated handbook of succulent plants: Monocotyledons. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany. pp. 103–186.
• Pakia, M. & Cooke, J.A., 2003. The ethnobotany of the Midzichenda tribes of the coastal forest areas in Kenya: 2. Medicinal plant uses. South African Journal of Botany 69(3): 382–395.
• Parry, O. & Matambo, C., 1992. Some pharmacological actions of aloe extracts and Cassia abbreviata on rats and mice. Central African Journal of Medicine 38(10): 409–414.

Author(s)

•	C.H. Bosch PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Editors

•	G.H. Schmelzer PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	A. Gurib-Fakim Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

Associate editors

•	C.H. Bosch PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	M.S.J. Simmonds Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom
•	R. Arroo Leicester School of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom
•	A. de Ruijter PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

General editors

•	R.H.M.J. Lemmens PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	L.P.A. Oyen PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Correct citation of this article

Bosch, C.H., 2006. Aloe wollastonii Rendle. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. 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 .

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