Krans aloe  (Aloe arborescens)

Aloe arborescens flowering

Facts

Also known as:krantz aloe, candelabra aloe, octopus plant and torch plant
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Magnoliophyta
Class Liliopsida
Order Liliales
Family Liliaceae
Genus Aloe (1)
Size Height: 2 – 3 m (2)

Status

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) in Malawi on the Southern African Plant Red Data List (3), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (1).

Description

The krans aloe is a dense, many-branched, succulent shrub (2) (4), with heads of green leaves arranged in attractive rosettes (5). These leaves are sickle-shaped and have margins armed with sharp, pale green teeth (6). The flowers of the krans aloe are borne on elongated, conical stems (2), forming striking spikes of colour, most commonly scarlet or deep orange, but occasionally yellow (4). Two or more of these distinctive flower stalks, measuring up to 30 millimetres long (6), arise from each rosette of leaves (5). The species name, Arborescens, means tree-like in Latin and refers to the tall stems that the krans aloe forms, while the common name refers to its habitat; a krantz being a rocky ridge or cliff (5).

Range

This widely distributed aloe occurs in South Africa, through Swaziland, eastern Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to Malawi (1) (2).

Habitat

The krans aloe is one of the few aloes that can be found growing from sea level right up to the tops of mountains (5). It is usually found on rocky slopes and exposed ridges (5) (6), but can also be found in dense bush and forest (4).

Biology

The large, colourful flower spikes of the krans aloe appear in the cool winter months of May and June (2) (5). Like other species of aloe, the flowers of the krans aloe produce nectar, attracting sunbirds and bees, which pollinate the plant as they feed (5). While each flower of an Aloe species contains both male and female organs, (the stamens and pistil), it cleverly avoids the possibility of self-fertilisation as the stigma is able to recognise its own pollen, and only accept pollen from other plants (7). The sap-rich leaves of the krans aloe are used as a first aid treatment for burns (6)

Threats

While in most of its range the krans aloe is a common and widespread species (3) (6), in Malawi, agriculture is encroaching on the krans aloe's habitat, and the species is now classified as threatened in that region (3).

Conservation

The remaining populations of kranz aloe in Malawi are well protected (3), and it also occurs within the Cape Floral Kingdom, a ‘hot-spot' of plant diversity in which there are a number of protected areas (8). While Malawi populations are threatened, overall this species future is probably secure, due not only to its wide natural distribution and abundance, but also as it is one of the most widely cultivated aloes in the world (5).

Shell South Africa is working with FFI and the Flower Valley Conservation Trust (FVCT) to help conserve part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world's most botanically rich habitat.Shell biodiversity banner

Authentication

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Glossary

Cape Floral Kingdom: An area occupying about 90,000 square kilometres in South Africa that contains an incredibly high diversity of plant species (around 8,700 species), of which 68 percent are found no where else.
Pistil: The female reproductive organ of a flowering plant; consisting of a stigma (the pollen receptor), style (a stalk connecting the stigma with the ovary below), and ovary (encloses the ovules).
Stamens: The male reproductive organ of a flower; comprised of an anther (the pollen-producing organ) and a filament (stalk).
Stigma: The receptive part of the female reproductive organ of a flower. Pollen germinates on the stigma.

References

  1. CITES (February, 2008)
    http://www.cites.org
  2. Court, D. (2000) Succulent Flora of Southern Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  3. Golding, J.S. (2002) Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 14. SABONET, Pretoria.
  4. Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J. (2000) Cape Plants: A Conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. National Botanical Institute of South Africa, Pretoria .
  5. Park, Y.I. and Lee, S.K. (2006) New Perspectives on Aloe. Springer Verlag, New York, USA.
  6. Paterson-Jones, C. and Manning, J. (2007) Ecoguide Fynbos. Briza Publications, Pretoria, South Africa.
  7. The Private Life of Plants (BBC 1995)
  8. UNEP-WCMC: Cape Floral Protected Areas of South Africa (February, 2008)
    http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/cape_floral.html