| Aloe flexilifolia | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Aloe |
| Species: | A. flexilifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Aloe flexilifolia | |
Aloe flexilifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is native to the Usambara Mountains, in north-east Tanzania.[1]
Description
Aloe flexilifolia is a perennial and a shrub. It has stems that are either sturdy and up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length, or are flimsy and up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length. These stems split off from the base, and have lanceolate leaves clumped at the top of the step. The leaves are 50 by 7 centimetres (19.7 by 2.8 in). There are teeth 1 to 2 millimetres (0.039 to 0.079 in) long that are 1 to 2 centimetres (0.39 to 0.79 in) apart. The flowers are trimerous and have pedicels 12 to 18 millimetres (0.47 to 0.71 in) in length. The flowers themselves are bright or brownish red, sometimes yellow, with a tubular shape. They are up to 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in length and about 8 millimetres (0.31 in) in diameter.[2]
Use
The sap from the crushed roots and leaves of A. flexilifolia is used by the Shambaa people to help reduce inflammation in the testicles and scrotum.
References
- ↑ "Aloe flexilifolia" at the Encyclopedia of Life
- ↑ Schmelzer, Gaby H.; Schmelzer, Gabriella Harriet; Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah (2008). Medicinal Plants. PROTA. p. 71. ISBN 978-90-5782-204-9.