Sandpaper aloe

Sandpaper aloe (Aloe asperifolia) is one of the northern Namib's few leaf-succulents. It grows in a circular pattern, reaching some 30cm in height. It bears greyish leaves that has brown teeth scattered along the leaf margins. This makes it rough to touch. It has characteristic horizontally arranged flower-heads with magnificent red flowers. The leaves are used to induce abortion.

This type of Aloe is abundant in position, but has a limited distribution, restricted to the central and northern Namib and grows mainly on gravel plains. Therefore, it is protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance and is listed under Cites 2. There are 26 Aloe species in Namibia, not easy to tell apart.