Aloe ferox miller

Aloe ferox is one of the oldest varieties of aloe used worldwide.

The aloe ferox, also called red aloe or bitter aloe is most famous for its medicinal qualities. In many parts of South Africa, the bitter yellow juice (also called aloe sap, aloe gum, aloe latex or aloe bitter juice) found just below the skin has been harvested as a renewable resource for two hundred years. The hard, black, resinous product is known as Cape aloes or aloe lump and is used mainly for its laxative properties but is also taken for arthritis. Various bitters such as Schwedenbitters, Underberg found in drugstores or italian "amaros" sold at liquor stores or supermarkets contains bitter aloe from the aloe ferox.

The inner gel from the leaves is also used in cosmetic products and is reported to have wound healing properties. 

The bitter aloe has a particularly difference with the other aloes. It will reach 2-3 metres in height with the leaves arranged in a rosette. The old leaves remain after they have dried, forming a "petticoat" on the stem. The leaves are a dull green, sometimes with a slightly blue look to them. They may also have a reddish tinge. The spines along the leaf edge are reddish in colour. Spines may also be present on upper and lower surfaces of the leaves as well. Young plants tend to be very spiny.

The flowers are carried in a large candelabra-like flower-head. There are usually between five and eight branches, each carrying a spike-like head of many flowers. Flower colour varies from yellowy-orange to bright red. "A. candelabrum" has six to twelve branches and the flowers have their inner petals tipped with white.

The aloe ferox is largely wild harvested in South African regions, but it is also commercially grown at Southern Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Angola and Zimbabwe.