Greathead’s aloe
Aloe greatheadii

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

What it is like

An evergreen succulent plant. The leaves can be 40 cm long. The leaves have a reddish-brown to deep green upper surface. There are reddish teeth along the edge. There can be 2 or 3 flower stalks from one ring of leaves. The flower stalk can be 1.4 m long. The flower heads are 20 cm long. The fresh buds are pink. The flowers have white stripes. Plants sucker and grow in groups.

There are about 350-400 Aloe species. Also put in the family Aloaceae. Also put in the family Asphodelaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It can grow in arid places. It grows on termite mounds. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Coffs.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flower buds are eaten. They need to be boiled in 3 changes of water before use. Caution: The flower buds can cause vomiting.

Edible parts

Flowers, caution

How it is grown

It can be grown by division or by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Liposo

Synonyms

Aloe davyana Schonland; Aloe pallidiflora;