Aloe globuligemma
Species of succulent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aloe globuligemma, commonly known as the witchdoctor's aloe,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is native to southern Africa where it occurs in semi-desert and dry bushland. It is an evergreen, succulent, perennial plant. The plant forms large, dense clumps. It is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.
| Witchdoctor's aloe | |
|---|---|
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| Habit in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. globuligemma |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe globuligemma | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy
Aloe globuligemma is a species in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae.[3] The species derived its name from Latin language globulus meaning "little ball", and gemma, meaning "bud"[4] referring to the globular flower buds.[5]
Description
The first description by Illtyd Buller Pole-Evans was published in 1915.[6]
Plant morphology
Aloe globuligemma grows building short stems up to 50 cm (20 in) in length, forming great, dense clumps by sprouting. The creeping stems are up to 50 cm (20 in) long.
About 20 of the lance shaped leaves form a rosette. The leaves are from 45–50 cm (18–20 in) long and from 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in) wide.[7]
The milky white, pale brown topped teeth at the leaf margins are 2 mm (0.1 in) long in 10 mm (0.4 in) intervals, mostly pointing to the leaf's top.
Distribution
Aloe globuligemma is found in Botswana, Zimbabwe and in the South African provinces Limpopo and Mpumalanga in hot dry areas and bushlands at elevations from 600–1,325 m (2,000–4,300 ft),[8] often in large colonies, in bare or sparsely grassed places, often in eroded areas and in open deciduous woodland.[9]
Uses
Aloe globuligemma is used in traditional African medicine.[8] A leaf infusion is taken traditionally for stomach ache, venereal diseases, and as an abortifacient.
Gallery
Leaf rosette in the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx
Inflorescence in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden
