Also known as the bitter aloe, Aloe ferox is an arborescent species belonging to the Xanthorrhoeaceae family. It is indigenous to southern Africa and is mainly found growing naturally in KwaZulu-Natal. The name “ferox,” which translates to “ferocious,” describes the morphology of the large spiny leaves.

This single single-stemmed plant grows to an average height of 3 m, and forms rosettes of large fleshy leaves. The leaves are thick and dull green in colour with red-brown spines along the edges of each leaf and smaller spines along the entire leaf epidermis. The uniform, yellowy orange to bright red flowers appear on the plant from May to August. They grow between 0.5 and 1.22 m above the leaves into multi-branched inflorescences with tightly compacted conical racemes. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract birds, insects, baboons, and monkeys to the plant.

A. ferox is a low-maintenance plant and requires low to moderate water application, it makes an ideal plant for a water-wise garden and can also survive in areas affected by frost. This plant can also create a focal point when planted on a rockery. Because of its tolerance to wind, the Bitter aloe is suitable for planting in coastal gardens.

Aloe ferox is also used in South African traditional medicine for the treatment of arthritis, conjunctivitis, eczema, hypertension, STDs, stress, and venereal sores. It is also used worldwide for skin care.