Edit Plant: Aloe vera

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'''''Aloe vera''''', also known as the '''medicinal aloe''', is a species of [[succulent plant]] that probably originated in Northern [[Africa]], the [[Canary islands]] and [[Cape Verde]]. ''Aloe vera'' grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in [[herbal medicine]]. ''Aloe vera'' is a stemless or very short-stemmed [[succulent]] plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by [[offsets]]. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces.<ref name="Yates">Yates A. (2002) ''Yates Garden Guide''. Harper Collins Australia</ref> The margin of the leaf is [[Serrate (botany)|serrated]] and has small white teeth. The [[flower]]s are produced in summer on a spike up to {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular [[Corolla (flower)|corolla]] 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long.<ref name="Yates"/><ref name="BPGE">Random House Australia ''Botanica's Pocket Gardening Encyclopedia for Australian Gardeners'' Random House Publishers, Australia</ref> Like other ''Aloe'' species, ''Aloe vera'' forms [[arbuscular mycorrhiza]], a [[symbiosis]] that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gong M, Wang F, Chen Y |title=[Study on application of arbuscular-mycorrhizas in growing seedings of Aloe vera] |language=Chinese |journal=Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=1–3 |year=2002 |month=January |pmid=12583231 |doi= |url=}}</ref> {{Inc| ''[[Aloe]] vera'', Linn. (''A. perfoliala vera'', Linn. ''A. elongata'', Murr. ''A. barbadensis'', Mill. ''A. vulgaris''. Lam. ''A. flava'', Pers.). Cespitose, the sts. at length 1-1.5 ft. high: lvs. suberect or spreading, gradually narrowed from the base, pale, 2-3 x 12-20 in., irregularly white-blotched and narrow when young and 2-ranked on offsets, the repand margin with weak pale prickles: infl. 2-3 ft. high, often simple; fls. 1 in. long, yellow, the segms. about equaling the oblong tube. Medit. region and intro. generally through the tropics. —The source of "Barbados aloes." Varies in a large Arabian form with broader lvs., taller infl., and fls. shading into orange, var. '''officinalis''', Baker (''A. officinalis'', Forsk., ''A. rubescens'', DC.); a smaller Asiatic form with red-tinged fls., var. '''chinensis''' (''A. indica'', Royle. ''A. chinensis'', Baker); and a hardier garden form of this, var. '''Lanzae''', Berger (''A. Lanzae'', Tod.). {{SCH}} }} ==Cultivation== [[Image:Aloe vera A.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Aloe vera'' can be grown as an ornamental plant.]] ''Aloe vera'' has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively [[medicinal plant]] and due to its interesting flowers, form and succulence. This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low-water use gardens.<ref name="Yates"/> The species is hardy in [[Hardiness zone|zones]] 8–11, although it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow.<ref name="BPGE"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/7686.shtml|title=BBC Gardening, ''Aloe vera''|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> In pots, the species requires well-drained sandy potting soil and bright sunny conditions. The use of a good quality commercial propagation mix or pre-packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended as they allow good drainage.<ref name="GA">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2280641.htm|title=Fact Sheet: ''Aloes''|author=Coleby-Williams, J|publisher=Gardening Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> [[Terracotta]] pots are preferable as they are porous.<ref name="GA"/> Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. During winter, ''A. vera'' may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.<ref name="BPGE"/> ===Propagation=== {{edit-prop}} ===Pests and diseases=== The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though [[mealy bugs]], [[scale insects]] and [[aphid]] species may cause a decline in plant health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/a-myersi.html|title=Pest Alert: ''Aloe vera'' aphid ''Aloephagus myersi'' Essi.|publisher=[[Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services]]|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/plant.asp?code=B628|title=Kemper Center for Home Gardening: ''Aloe vera''|publisher=Missouri Botanic Gardens, USA|accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> ==Species==  ==Gallery== <gallery> File:Aloë-vera-total.JPG|Some varieties of ''Aloe vera'' have no spots. File:Aloe_vera_in_Aruba.jpg|''Aloe vera'' growing on a roadside in [[Aruba]] File:Aloe fields.jpg|''Aloe vera'' fields File:Echte_Aloe_von_oben.JPG|Another ''Aloe vera'' plant Image:Aloe vera.jpg|Flowers Image:Aloe Vera Plant Flower 2.jpg|Flowers Image:Aloe vera Plant Flower 2.jpg|Flowers Image:Aloe vera leaf.jpg|Leaf close up </gallery> ==References== *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963    ==External links== *{{wplink}} __NOTOC__

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