Succulent shrub up to 5 m tall; stems solitary, branching at or near the base, with persistent dead leaves. Leaves in a dense rosette, spreading, becoming recurved; stipules absent; petiole absent; blade lanceolate, up to 60 cm × 7 cm, apex long-acuminate, margin with firm, deltoid, forward-pointing, yellow teeth, c. 4 mm long, 1–1.5 cm apart, blade greyish green, reddish tinged in dry conditions. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, 20–40 cm long, 1–4 per rosette, erect, cylindrical-acuminate, very densely flowered; peduncle up to 60 cm long, simple or rarely with 1 short branch; bracts broadly ovate, 2–5 mm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 3-merous; pedicel 1–1.5 cm long; perianth tubular, 3.5–4 cm long, c. 7 mm in diameter, lobes 6, free to the base, bright orange to scarlet; stamens 6, exserted; ovary superior, 3-celled, style filiform, stigma head-shaped, exserted. Fruit an oblong-ovoid capsule up to 18 mm × 7 mm, yellowish brown, dehiscing loculicidally, many-seeded. Seeds c. 3.5 mm long, with very narrow wings.

Laxative and purgative (leaves)

PROTAbase: Aloe arborescens

The split or crushed fresh leaves are widely used to treat bruises, burns and wounds. A leaf decoction is given to women to ease childbirth. The leaves are taken internally to relieve constipation. Preparations are sold as over-the-counter drugs for acceleration of gastric secretion and for dermatological use.