Aloe vera

Aloe vera (= Aloe barbadensis, Aloe perfoliata var. vera, Aloe vulgaris), commonly known as Bitter Aloe, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Aloe vera 11.1 History 11.2 Aloe vera in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Aloe vera was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1768, however, that Nicolaas Laurens Burman reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Bitter Aloe is a species in the genus Aloe which contains 446 species and belongs to the family of the Aloaceae (Aloe Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 0,6 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Aloe vera is an evergreen plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged in rosettes. They are greyish green and lanceolate with toothed margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are tubular and yellow. The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in racemes.

The fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Aloe vera is native to northeast Africa, tropical Africa, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, India, the Arabian Peninsula, is naturalized in Greece, the Iberian Peninsula, the Apennine Peninsula, Crete and Turkey. It is a protected species according to the Washington Convention.

[edit] Cultivation

The Bitter Aloe prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -12,2º C. It grows best in pebbly, loamy soil that is moderately moist.

[edit] Uses

Aloe vera is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Aloe vera

[edit] History

[edit] Aloe vera in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Aloe vera in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Aloe verafr:Aloe vera