“In recent years South Africa’s flora has been plundered by unscrupulous traders who use local labour to supply these endangered species to collectors worldwide. Our natural heritage is raped and smuggled out of South Africa illegally,” says botanist Andy de Wet who is working with various organisations to protect these flora.

Locally, the most common plants that fall prey to this practice are Aloe Marlothii and Aloe Peglerae. “The problem also extends to local traders that supply landscapers and gardeners source these plants illegally for gardens. We at The Aloe Farm are deeply concerned about the loss of elements in our natural habitat. Any disturbance has a more devastating and ripple effect than meets the eye. For example, aloes flower in winter when there is hardly any food for birds and an assortment of insects. In the absence of this essential source of nourishment, your bird and insect population will immediately dwindle, as well as the predators that prey on insects,” he said.
Species like the Aloe Peglerae do not easily propagate. “If an Aloe Peglerae in the wild, becomes 50 years old, it will produce about 150 000 seeds of which only one plant will generally survive that grows to maturity to replace it and maintain the balance in nature. The Aloe Farm is involved in various significant projects in conjunction with organisations like Rotary, WESSA, farmers and the botanical society to raise seedlings and many thousands have been re-established in their natural habitat.”
“We implore everybody to join us in combating this scourge. Don’t buy plants from street vendors. By doing so you are encouraging the plunder of our beautiful environment. Report the illegal sales of these precious flora to the police and Green Scorpions. If we all work together, we can prevent the destruction of our beautiful environment.”