A perennial succulent shrub, up to 3(-5) m tall, usually with a single stem, densely covered with the persistent remains of the old leaves. Leaves 50-60 in a dense capitate rosette, lanceolate, up to 100 cm x 15 cm, fleshy, upper surface flat, lower surface convex, smooth to spiny, margins sinuate-dentate, dull green, sometimes tinged red. Inflorescence branched with 5-8 erect racemes, racemes very densely flowered, 50-80 cm x 9-12 cm. Flowers with a dark red to orange perianth, filaments and style exserted.

As purgative (leaf sap); laxative (boiled leaves and roots); narcotic (flower nectar)

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Succulent Plant Site
Floridata

Applied externally in cases of ophthalmia, conjunctivitis, sinusitis and syphilis (leaf sap); to treat arthritis, eczema, conjunctivitis, hypertension and stress (boiled leaves and roots).