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|common_name=Aloe vera
|common_name=Aloe vera
|habit=cacti-succulent
|habit=cacti-succulent
|Max ht box=60
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Max ht box=80
|Max ht metric=cm
|Max ht metric=cm
|Max wd box=100
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Min wd box=60
|Min wd metric=cm
|Max wd box=120
|Max wd metric=cm
|Max wd metric=cm
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|water=moderate, dry
|water=moderate, dry
|features=flowers, edible, drought tolerant
|features=flowers, edible, drought tolerant
|flowers=yellow
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|flowers=orange, yellow
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=9
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=12
|image=Aloe vera flower inset.png
|image=Aloe vera flower inset.png
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
'''''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''''', 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>
''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|
{{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.).
''[[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}}
{{SCH}}
}}
}}
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
[[Image:Aloe vera A.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Aloe vera'' can be grown as an ornamental plant.]]
[[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>
''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"/>
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===
===Propagation===