Swaziland's Flora Database

Species Information

Aloe cooperi Baker ssp. cooperi (name current July 2011) inhlaba lisheshelu (Aloe cooperi) ASPHODELACEAE Growth form: Herb Restricted distribution within southern Africa Found within protected areas Local abundance: very rare Schedule C Medicinal Other uses Red Data Book Information: Status: DD Distribution: Malolotja Valley, Ezulwini, Stegi, 20 km North of Piggs Peak Found in Malalotja Valley in the mid veld. Taxonomic problem makes this species difficult to assess. Very common and widespread in South Africa. Regional distribution: South Africa from southern Natal through Swaziland to south eastern and eastern Transvaal Description (Compton's Flora of Swaziland*): Aloe cooperi - “Stemless”. Leaves two-ranked, rather soft, standing very erect, tapering gradually from base to apex, up to 1 m long X 3—5 cm wide at base sometimes faintly lined and spotted near base with rather soft close-set white marginal teeth. Inflorescence up to 1 m high with scattered membranous long-pointed bracts; flower-stalks 3—4 cm long; perianth usually less than 3 cm long x 1 cm diam near base, tapering gradually to tip, orange or salmon-pink with green tip. * Where species names have changed, these have been matched according to herbarium specimens quoted in this publication.

Herbarium Specimens