Krans aloe

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• candelabra aloe
• candelabra-plant
• octopus-plant
• torchplant
• Cliff Aloe
• Japan Aloe
• Kraal Aloe
• Krantz Aloe
• Kranz aloe
• Mountain Bush Aloe
• Oldenland's Bush Aloe
• Torch Aloe
• Krantz or Candelabra Aloe

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Catevala arborescens
• Aloe perfoliata var. arborescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Aloe arborescens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales and the family Asphodelaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Aloe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of Southern Europe. Within Southwestern Europe, its presence is noted in the Balearic Islands, France, Portugal, and Spain. Additionally, the species can be found extending into Southeastern Europe, specifically within Italy. This range highlights its ability to thrive in the diverse Mediterranean climates found across these territories. Consequently, the geographical footprint of Aloe arborescens spans multiple countries throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aloe arborescens is characterized by a remarkably broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit a diverse range of environmental gradients. The species can be found at elevations as low as 10 m AMSL, yet it extends its reach to significant heights, with a maximum recorded elevation of 1900 m AMSL and a mean elevational range centered around 2600 m AMSL. This wide vertical dispersal suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures. Furthermore, the plant possesses active biological defense mechanisms, a trait that serves to protect its physiological integrity against herbivory or environmental stressors within its varied habitats.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aloe arborescens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a dual life form classification depending on its developmental stage and environmental context, functioning both as a phanerophyte, where its woody stems elevate the foliage above the ground, and as a nanophanerophyte. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its succulent, fleshy leaves remain functional and green year-round rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aloe arborescens is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor epiphytic, growing independently in its environment without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.8 m to a maximum of 3 m, with a mean height of approximately 3 m, establishing a robust and sturdy presence in its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aloe arborescens is characterized by specialized adaptations for water conservation and efficient metabolic processing in arid environments. As a succulent species, it possesses thick, fleshy tissues designed for significant water storage, a trait supported by its Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway, which allows the plant to fix carbon dioxide at night to minimize transpirational water loss. Morphologically, the plant features a distinctive rosette leaf arrangement, where the leaves emerge in a circular pattern from a central axis. These leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, typically measuring between 20 cm and 50 cm in length, with widths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its developmental needs.

Leaf arrangement :

rosette

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

CAM

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aloe arborescens is characterized by the production of red flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence. These inflorescences vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. The individual flowers are relatively small, with lengths measuring between 3 cm and 4 cm. The flowering period is highly variable, typically beginning around April and concluding by February of the following year. This plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on bees to facilitate the reproductive process. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehiscence-type fruit, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The resulting seeds are minute, with a mean mass of 0.00181 g, though they range from a minimum of 0.00112 g to a maximum of 0.0025 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

4 cm

Flower length min:

3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit type :

capsule

Inflorescence :

raceme

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0025 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00181 g

Seed mass min:

0.00112 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aloe arborescens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
2. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
3. Plant & cell physiology

Chemicals

Aloe arborescens has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aloenin, Barbaloin, Aloe emodin, Aloenin A, Anthraquinones.

Aloenin

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology
3. The FEBS journal

Barbaloin

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology
3. The FEBS journal

Aloe emodin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Aloenin A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anthraquinones

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

5,7-Dihydroxy-2-methylchromone

1. The FEBS journal

6-(2-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylphenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrone

1. The FEBS journal

7-O-Methylaloeresin A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ANTHRAQUINONE

1. Cells

Activities

Aloe arborescens has 8 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, Antifungal, Antiglycation, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Antiinflammatory

1. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antifungal

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiglycation

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antitumor

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiulcer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiviral

1. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)

Neuroprotective

1. Acta histochemica

Medicinal Uses

Aloe arborescens has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include upper respiratory tract infections, wound healing, Aspergillus niger, Parkinson's disease, acetylcholinesterase.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations