Aloe maculata - Meet the Plants - National Tropical Botanical Garden Plant Database

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Taxonomy:

Aloe maculata (Asphodelaceae)

Common Names:
Soap Aloe
Zebra Aloe

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida-Monocotyledons
Subclass: Liliidae
Order: Liliales
Family: Aloeaceae - Aloe family
Genus: Aloe L. - Aloe
Species: maculata All.
(National Plant Database. 2004.)

Description:

Aloe maculata produces stemless leaves in a rosette. The leaves are thick and succulent with thick points and coarsely toothed margins.

They are dark green (sometimes with a reddish tinge) with distinctive white spots. During summer time flowers appear on a purple colored stalk about 2 feet long. The tubular flowers are coral-red in color in this color form.
(Reynolds, Tom. 2004. Aloes.)

Geographic Distribution:

African Aloe is widespread from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to Zimbabwe.
(Reynolds, Tom. 2004. Aloes.)

Dangerous/Poisonous:

Aloe maculata sap should not be used on the skin, as it is irritating and can provoke dermatitis in sensitive people.
(Reynolds, Tom. 2004. Aloes.)

Species Interconnections and Interdependencies:

Indigenous Practices:

The sap from the leaves can be used as a soap substitute.
Soap Aloe has landscape value, as it is very resistant to drought and very tolerant to high salt content, which makes this species an excellent choice for seaside gardens and rock gardens.

(Reynolds, Tom. 2004. Aloes.)

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