I Speak For The Trees

Aloe arborescens, growing in Quito, Pichincha Province.  Continuing on the theme of “things that grow in sand” here is  Aloe arborescens, the “tree” aloe, a caulescent succulent native to scrub deserts of Africa.   Given time, it forms up into small trees with stout, woody trunks - hence the name.  It is one of the strongest medicinal aloes.  Leaves are fleshy, varying from deep green through lime green, and in full sun, eventually turning a red-brown shade.  Happy specimens, like those shown above, are almost constantly in bloom, sending up torches of bright red tubular flowers that are extremely popular with hummingbirds.  Aloe arborescens will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but prefers sandy or at least very well-drained soils.  The amount of sunlight strictly necessary is considered to be bright shade, but the plant does equally well in full sun.  Placement in gardens often depends on the gardener’s preference of leaf colour - full sun produces more of the “red” leaf colouration, especially on older growth, while partial to bright shade maintains the green tones.  Propagation is by seed and far more commonly by taking a crown cutting, allowing it to dry and scar over, and replanting.  The latter practice eventually produces a bushy succulent tree or shrub.

As with Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens has strongly medicinal sap.  In the parts Ecuador where it grows, it is considered the first treatment for any type of scratch, bite, or burn, and is used in hospitals as a primary treatment for burns up to the third degree.  The sap of Aloe arborescens contains much higher concentrations of the primary compounds present in other aloes, and this higher concentration is responsible for the faster and more effective action of the sap against skin conditions.  Like the sap of all aloes, that of A. arborescens can be drunk as a liver and digestive tonic; it is however a great deal more bitter than the A. vera juices commonly sold by street vendors.