Aloe marlothii A.Berger is an accepted Aloe species in Kew’s taxonomic record, native from southeastern Botswana to KwaZulu-Natal in southern Africa. It is a large succulent shrub or small tree; Kew commonly reports a height of 2–4 m, sometimes more. Its usually unbranched stem retains old dried leaf bases. A dense rosette crowns the stem, with grey-green fleshy leaves that are broad at the base and taper to a point; irregular reddish-brown spines occur along the margins and sometimes across the leaf surfaces. The branched flower stalk bears racemes that usually extend horizontally, with tubular flowers ranging from yellow and orange to red. These features help readers picture the plant but do not replace a voucher specimen for identification.

Kew recognizes two subspecies. Subsp. orientalis is often shorter, may form clumps in sandy soils, and tends to have fewer surface spines than the typical form. Leaf colour, habit, and spine density therefore vary among populations. A label such as “aloe,” a common name, or a market tag does not establish A. marlothii; it should not be conflated with Aloe vera, Aloe ferox, or other Aloe species with their own use records. CITES Appendix II controls international trade in listed plants and derivatives. The project’s CITES dataset contains one 2019 comparative record for “medicine” under A. marlothii, with commercial purpose and source code W (wild). This reported row documents a transaction record under a species name; it does not authenticate each product or establish efficacy or safety. Images are AI study illustrations, not verified specimens.

Kew summarizes multiple ethnobotanical records for A. marlothii. Bitter leaf exudate has been recorded historically as a purgative and weaning aid; leaf preparations are reported in some contexts for intestinal parasites. Ethnoveterinary sources also record use for equine disease and livestock parasites in some southern African communities. SANBI separately describes Zulu records involving leaf and root decoctions for traditional purposes. These reports belong to specific communities and periods; they are not instructions for practice or proof of clinical efficacy. The sources do not establish a single ratio or preparation method, so this page gives no recipe, amount, or oral-use direction. It does not assign Chinese-medicine taste, channels, or formula roles because the cited materials describe southern African knowledge, not a Chinese pharmacopoeia monograph.

A 2022 study examined A. marlothii roots and selected compounds in in-vitro assays against Plasmodium falciparum. Laboratory findings do not show that the plant or its root treats malaria in people; the study was not a clinical trial and does not establish a dose. An in-vitro assay tests selected material under controlled conditions and does not recreate digestion, absorption, metabolism, immune response, dosing, or interactions in a person. A chemical signal may support further research, but does not establish that a leaf, root, or retail product contains the same compounds at an effective concentration. A review of Aloe ethnomedicine in southern Africa documents diverse uses across many species and cautions against generalizing within a highly diverse genus. Evidence about Aloe vera or Aloe ferox cannot be transferred directly to A. marlothii. This profile therefore separates traditional-use records from laboratory evidence and makes no claim that the species treats infections, parasites, diabetes, or animal disease.

The Royal Horticultural Society flags A. marlothii itself as harmful if eaten by people and some pets. Do not use gel, latex, exudate, leaves, roots, or unidentified dried material for self-treatment or food. Leaf exudate is described historically as a purgative; laxative activity does not mean safe use and may pose risks, especially with underlying conditions, medicines, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The sources reviewed do not provide a complete drug-interaction assessment, a human dose-toxicity profile, or a home detoxification process. Aloe vera safety information does not substitute for species-specific evaluation of A. marlothii. If a child or animal ingests the plant, contact local medical, emergency, or veterinary services; do not induce vomiting or wait for symptoms.

On a mature plant, look for a single upright stem several metres tall, often wrapped in persistent brown dried leaf bases; a large crown of thick grey-green leaves with reddish-brown marginal teeth; and a branched flowering stalk whose racemes spread sideways. Not every plant flowers at once, and young plants may not yet show a clear trunk. Some leaves bear surface spines while others have fewer, so spine density alone cannot identify the species. Photograph the whole plant, both leaf surfaces, stem, and inflorescence when present; record locality and date. Avoid handling the spines or cutting a leaf to inspect its sap. The AI image teaches general form and cannot authenticate a market specimen.