It is most disturbing to see these plants being sold on the side of the road.
This was seen on the corner of Voortrekker and Hennie Alberts streets in Alberton on Saturday February 15.
We are pleading with people not to buy these plants, as this is encouraging the destruction of our biodiversity.
We suspect that these plants are being stripped from the veld in the Magaliesberg biosphere.
Some facts regarding the plant:
Aloe Marlothii National Tree number 29.5 can grow two to four metres high but occasionally up to six metres or more.
Flowering from May to September occurs in vast numbers, and the plants are not threatened yet, but if this wanton removal of our indigenous plant carries on, it will also become threatened.
The plants that were seen could be between 50 and 100 years old.
Please do not buy fauna and flora from street vendors.
Ivan Parkes: Chairman Walkerville Chamber of Commerce; Chairman Thorntree Conservancy; Chairman Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association; Liaison (IUCN) National Association of Conservancies Stewardship of South Africa
