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|familia=Asphodelaceae
 
|genus=Aloe
 
|genus=Aloe
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|common_name=Aloe
 
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'''''Aloe''''', also written ''Aloë'', is a [[genus]] containing about four hundred [[species]] of [[flowering plants|flowering]] [[succulent plant|succulent]] [[plants]]. The most common and well known of these is ''[[Aloe vera]]'', or "true aloe".
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Aloe saponaria, Haw. (A. perfoliata saponaria, Ait. A. saponaria minor, Haw. A.disticha, Mill. A. x maculosa, Lam. A. umbellata, Salm.-Dyck. A. umbellata minor, DC.)- Cespitosely clustered: lvs. ascending or spreading, lance-oblong, acuminate, 2 x 6-8 in., often reddish, glaucous, faintly striate, with pale blotches more or less in transverse bands, the large, marginal, confluent teeth brown: infl. 1½-2½ ft. high, commonly branched; fls. 1½-1¾ in- long, red, the paler more or less green segms. much shorter than the tube. Cape. Wood & Evans, Natal PL 100. B.M. 1460. DC., Pi. Gr. 98, Salm, Aloe §23, f. 1. Berger 71, 72. Lyon Hort. 22, p. 305. Lam., Encycl. 236.—Varies in a dwarf form with lvs. scarcely 4 in. long, var. brachyphylla, Baker, and a larger greener-lvd. form, var. latifolia, Haw. (A. latifolia, Haw. A. saponaria major, Linn. A. umbellate, major, DC.) Salm, Aloe §23, f. 3. B.M. 1346.
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The genus is native to [[Africa]], and is common in [[South Africa]]'s [[Cape Province]], the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as [[Madagascar]], the [[Arabian peninsula]], and the islands off Africa.
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Most ''Aloe'' species have a [[rosette (botany)|rosette]] of large, thick, fleshy [[Leaf|leaves]]. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. ''Aloe'' [[flower]]s are tubular, frequently yellow, pink or red and are borne on densely clustered, simple or branched leafless stems.
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Many species of ''Aloe'' appear to be stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level;  other varieties may have a branched or unbranched [[plant stem|stem]] from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or [[mottle]]d. Some ''Aloes'' native to South Africa are [[wiktionary:arborescent|arborescent]]. <ref> [http://www.superstock.com/stock-photography/Aloe/Tree Images of aloe trees.] </ref>
    
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Old plants of Aloe will keep healthy for several years in the same pots without a renewal of soil, and flower freely at the same time. The soil most suited to their needs is sandy loam three parts, lime rubble and broken brick one part, with a little decayed manure to strengthen the mixture. Very firm potting is necessary. Drainage is a more important item than soil, and must be perfectly arranged to enable the surplus water to run freely from the soil. Broken bricks are preferable to pieces of pots, large pieces for the bottom of the pot or tub, and smaller pieces above, till the last layer is quite fine. Some of the species need freer rooting conditions than others. A. ciliaris will grow from 5 to 7 feet in a season. A. abyssinica is of robust growth, and differs from most others in the color of the flowers, which are pure yellow, the others being mostly orange and orange-scarlet. A.plicatilis makes an ornamental tub plant when 4 or 5 feet high. Except during the period in which the species are in active growth, they need very little water, the principal idea being to keep the soil sweet and porous even when in growth. At all times the air of the house should be as dry as possible, full sunshine not hurting them. Propagation is by seeds, suckers and cuttings. The arborescent kinds should be rooted after they have completed growth. Dust over the cut part of the cutting with powdered charcoal and dry in sunshine before putting it in to root. Insert singly in as small pots as they will go into, and plunge in a sand-bed. Very little moisture is necessary while rooting.
 
Old plants of Aloe will keep healthy for several years in the same pots without a renewal of soil, and flower freely at the same time. The soil most suited to their needs is sandy loam three parts, lime rubble and broken brick one part, with a little decayed manure to strengthen the mixture. Very firm potting is necessary. Drainage is a more important item than soil, and must be perfectly arranged to enable the surplus water to run freely from the soil. Broken bricks are preferable to pieces of pots, large pieces for the bottom of the pot or tub, and smaller pieces above, till the last layer is quite fine. Some of the species need freer rooting conditions than others. A. ciliaris will grow from 5 to 7 feet in a season. A. abyssinica is of robust growth, and differs from most others in the color of the flowers, which are pure yellow, the others being mostly orange and orange-scarlet. A.plicatilis makes an ornamental tub plant when 4 or 5 feet high. Except during the period in which the species are in active growth, they need very little water, the principal idea being to keep the soil sweet and porous even when in growth. At all times the air of the house should be as dry as possible, full sunshine not hurting them. Propagation is by seeds, suckers and cuttings. The arborescent kinds should be rooted after they have completed growth. Dust over the cut part of the cutting with powdered charcoal and dry in sunshine before putting it in to root. Insert singly in as small pots as they will go into, and plunge in a sand-bed. Very little moisture is necessary while rooting.
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A. Cameronii. Hemal. Fls. almost cinnabar-red, passing into yellow toward the top. E. Trop. Air. B.M. 7915.—A. Campylosiphon, A. Berger. Pale yellow us. E. Trop. Afr.—A. Chabaudii, Schoenl. Allied to A. stricta. Lvs. bordered with small prickles; outer segms. of fls. pale brick-red with whitish wings at apex. Trop. Afr. G.C. III. 38:102.—A. decora, Schoenl. A dwarf species having red fls. tipped with green. S. Afr. G.G. III. 38:3865.— .4. Lastii. Baker. Fls. pale yellow, greenish at top. Zanzibar.—A. laxiflóra, Hort. Very lax arrangement of fls. which are orange-red in lower part and yellow at apex. Cape Colony. G.C. HI. 39: 130, desc.—A. Marlothii, A. Berger. Extremely spiny lvs. and nearly horizontally spreading fl.-spikes. British Bechuanaland.— A. Orpenae, Schoenl. Lvs. lined with white spots and markings on both surfaces: fls. red, tipped with white. S. Afr. G.C. III. 38:3865.— .A. pallidiflora, A. Berger. A stemless plant: lvs. armed on margins with sharp spines: fls. pale flesh-color. 3. Afr. B.M. 8122.—A. pendent. A shrubby species: fls. drooping, dull yellowish red. S. Arabia. B.M. 7837.—A. rubrolutea, Schini. Unbranched st. 8 ft. high or more: lvs. armed or margins with brown deltoid and somewhat hooked spines: fls. bright red. Trop. S. W. Afr. B.M.8263.
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==Cultivation==
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{{Taxobox
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| color = lightgreen
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| name = ''Aloe''
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| image = Koeh-007.jpg
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| image_width = 240px
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| image_caption = ''Aloe succotrina''
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
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| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
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| familia = [[Asphodelaceae]]
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| genus = '''''Aloe'''''
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| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
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| subdivision = See [[Aloe#Species|Species]]
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}}
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{{otheruses}}
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'''''Aloe''''', also written ''Aloë'', is a [[genus]] containing about four hundred [[species]] of [[flowering plants|flowering]] [[succulent plant|succulent]] [[plants]].
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===Propagation===
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The genus is native to [[Africa]] and is common in [[South Africa]]'s [[Cape Province]] and the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as [[Madagascar]], the [[Arabian peninsula]] and the islands off Africa.
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The [[APG II system]] (2003) placed the genus in the family [[Asphodelaceae]]. In the past it has also been assigned to families [[Aloaceae]] and [[Liliaceae]]. Members of the closely allied genera ''[[Gasteria]]'', ''[[Haworthia]]'' and ''[[Kniphofia]]'' which have a similar mode of growth, are also popularly known as aloes. Note that the plant sometimes called &quot;American aloe&quot; (''[[Agave americana]]''), belongs to [[Agavaceae]], a different family. 
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===Pests and diseases===
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Most Aloes have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy [[Leaf|leaves]]. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe [[flower]]s are tubular, frequently yellow, orange or red and are borne on densely clustered, simple or branched leafless stems. 
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Many species of Aloe are seemingly stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level;  other varieties may have a branched or un-branched [[plant stem|stem]] from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright green and are sometimes striped or mottled.
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==Varieties==
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==Uses==
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{{Not verified|date=February 2007}}
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''Aloe'' species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many ''Aloe'' species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Some species, in particular ''[[Aloe vera]]'' are purported to have medicinal properties.
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Other use of Aloes include their role in [[alternative medicine]]s (see [[Herbalism]]) and in home first aid. Both the translucent inner pulp as well as the resinous yellow exudate from wounding the Aloe plant is used ''externally'' to relieve skin discomforts and ''internally'' as a laxative. To date, some research has shown that Aloe vera produces positive medicinal benefits for healing damaged skin. Conversely, other research suggests Aloe vera can negatively effect healing (Vogler and Ernst, 1999).
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Some Aloe species have also been used for human consumption. For example, drinks made from or containing chunks of aloe pulp are popular in Asia as commercial beverages and as a tea additive; this is notably true in [[Korea]].
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===External uses===
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Various extracts of ''Aloe vera'' are frequently used in herbal medicine and by cosmetic companies. For more information see: ''[[Aloe vera]]''.
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=== Internal uses ===
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[[image:Aloe_vossii_-_plant_(aka).jpg|right|thumb|200px|''[[Aloe vossii]]'']] 
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Aloe contains a number of medicinal substances used as a [[purgative]].  The medicinal substance is produced from various species of aloe, such as ''A. vera'', ''A. vulgaris'', ''A. socotrina'', ''A. chinensis'', and ''A. perryi''.  Several kinds of aloes are commercially available: Barbadoes, Socotrine, Hepatic, Indian, and Cape aloes.  Barbadoes and Socotrine are the varieties most commonly used for curative purposes {{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
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Aloes is the expressed juice of the leaves of the plant.  When the leaves are cut, the juice that flows out is collected and evaporated.  After the juice has been removed, the leaves are sometimes boiled to yield an inferior kind of aloes. The juice of the leaves of certain species, e.g. ''Aloe venenosa'', is [[poison]]ous.
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<!--Aloe's benefits include ingesting aloe juice to lower blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.{{citeneeded}}-->
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There have been very few properly conducted studies about possible benefits of aloe gel taken internally. One study found improved wound healing in mice. Another found a positive effect of lowering risk factors in patients with heart disease. Some research has shown decreasing fasting blood sugar in diabetic animals given aloe [http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aloe.html]. None of these studies can be considered to be definitive, and there are many false advertising claims for aloe.
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Aloe has been marketed as a remedy for coughs, wounds, [[ulcer]]s, [[gastritis]], [[diabetes]], [[cancer]], [[headache]]s, [[arthritis]], [[immune-system deficiencies]], and many other conditions when taken internally.  However, these uses are unsubstantiated; the only substantiated internal use is as a [[laxative]].  Furthermore, there is evidence of potential adverse side effects (for example, acute [[hepatitis]]<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15633238 Acute hepatitis induced by an Aloe vera preparation: a case report]</ref>). Although some studies suggest that certain components of aloe such as aloe-emodin have genotoxic activity, human clinical trials and rodent carcinogenicity studies do not substantiate a genotoxic risk to humans when aloe products are consumed as directed{{cite journal |author=Brusick D, Mengs U |title=Assessment of the genotoxic risk from laxative senna products |journal=Environ Mol Mutagen |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=1-9 |year=1997 |id=PMID 9020301}}.  Consult your doctor when contemplating taking Aloe internally. Avoid use during pregnancy because the [[anthraquinone]] [[glycoside]]s are strongly [[purgative]]. High doses of the leaves can cause vomiting.
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On 9 May 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule banning the use of aloe and [[Rhamnus purshiana|cascara sagrada]] as laxative ingredients in over-the-counter drug products[http://www.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2360].
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In [[homeopathy|homeopathic medicine]] aloe is used for hemorrhoids<ref>{{cite book
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| last = Morrsion, MD
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| first = Roger
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| title = Desktop guide to keynotes and comfirmatory symptoms
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| publisher =Hahnemann Clinic Publishing
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| date = 1993
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| location =Grass Valley, CA
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| ISBN =0-9635368-0-X}}
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</ref>.
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== References ==
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  {{reflist}}
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==Heraldry==
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The aloe plant (''A. rubrolutea'') occurs as a charge in [[heraldry]], such as in the Civic Heraldry of Namibia [http://www.ngw.nl/int/afr/windhoek.htm]
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==Species==
   
There are around 400 species in the genus ''Aloe''. For a full list, see [[List of species of genus Aloe]]. Species include:
 
There are around 400 species in the genus ''Aloe''. For a full list, see [[List of species of genus Aloe]]. Species include:
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*''[[Aloe arborescens]]'' - Aloe Arborescens Miller, used in healthcare
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* ''[[Aloe vera]]'' - used in healthcare & health products
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*''[[Aloe aristata]]'' - Torch Plant, Lace Aloe
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* ''[[Aloe arborescens]]'' - used in healthcare
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*''[[Aloe dichotoma]]'' - quiver tree or kokerboom
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* ''[[Aloe aristata]]'' - Torch Plant, Lace ''Aloe''
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*''[[Aloe ngobitensis]]''
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* ''[[Aloe dichotoma]]'' - quiver tree or kokerboom
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*''[[Aloe variegata]]'' - Partridge-breasted Aloe, Tiger Aloe
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* ''[[Aloe nyeriensis]]''
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*''[[Aloe vera]]'' Barbados Aloe, Common Aloe, Yellow Aloe, Medicinal Aloe. This is the variety used medicinally.
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* ''[[Aloe variegata]]'' - Partridge-breasted ''Aloe'', Tiger ''Aloe''
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*''[[Aloe wildii]]''
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* ''[[Aloe barbadensis]]'' - Barbados ''Aloe'', Common ''Aloe'', Yellow ''Aloe'', Medicinal ''Aloe''. This is an older name for Aloe vera.
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* ''[[Aloe wildii]]''
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==References==
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The [[APG II system]] (2003) placed the genus in the family [[Asphodelaceae]]. In the past it has also been assigned to families [[Aloaceae]] and [[Liliaceae]] or lilly family. Members of the closely allied genera ''[[Gasteria]]'', ''[[Haworthia]]'' and ''[[Kniphofia]]'', which have a similar mode of growth, are also popularly known as aloes. Note that the plant sometimes called American aloe (''[[Agave americana]]'') belongs to [[Agavaceae]], a different family.
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<references/>
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*Schmidt JM, Greenspoon JS (1991) Aloe vera dermal wound gel is associated with a delay in wound healing. ''Obstet Gynecol'' 1: 115-117.
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*Vogler BK, Ernst E (1999) Aloe vera: a systematic review of its clinical effectiveness ''British Journal of General Practice'' 49: 823-828.
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*International Aloe Science Council:  http://www.iasc.org/aloe.html
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*University of Maryland Medical Center: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Aloech.html
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*Craig, Winston. The All-purpose Gel. ''Vibrant Life'' July 2001.
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*Farrar, Maureen Meyers. Skin Deep. ''Better Nutrition'' July 2005.
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*''British Journal of General Practice'', October 1999
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==Links==
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{{Inc|
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[[List of Southern African indigenous trees]]
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-A. Cameronii. Hemal. Fls. almost cinnabar-red, passing into yellow toward the top. E. Trop. Air.
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—A. Campylosiphon, A. Berger. Pale yellow us. E. Trop. Afr.
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—A. Chabaudii, Schoenl. Allied to A. stricta. Lvs. bordered with small prickles; outer segms. of fls. pale brick-red with whitish wings at apex. Trop. Afr.
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—A. decora, Schoenl. A dwarf species having red fls. tipped with green. S. Afr.
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—A. Lastii. Baker. Fls. pale yellow, greenish at top. Zanzibar.—A. laxiflóra, Hort. Very lax arrangement of fls. which are orange-red in lower part and yellow at apex. Cape Colony.
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—A. Marlothii, A. Berger. Extremely spiny lvs. and nearly horizontally spreading fl.-spikes. British Bechuanaland.
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—A. Orpenae, Schoenl. Lvs. lined with white spots and markings on both surfaces: fls. red, tipped with white. S. Afr.
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—A. pallidiflora, A. Berger. A stemless plant: lvs. armed on margins with sharp spines: fls. pale flesh-color. 3. Afr.
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—A. pendent. A shrubby species: fls. drooping, dull yellowish red. S. Arabia.
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—A. rubrolutea, Schini. Unbranched st. 8 ft. high or more: lvs. armed or margins with brown deltoid and somewhat hooked spines: fls. bright red. Trop. S. W. Afr.
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}}
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==External links==
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==Gallery==
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{{commons|Aloe}}
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<gallery perrow=5>
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101163 Flora of North America: ''Aloe'']
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File:Split Aloe.jpg|Aloe gel inside leaf
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==Images==
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<gallery>
   
Image:Aloe arborescens-IMG 7938.JPG|[[Aloe arborescens]]
 
Image:Aloe arborescens-IMG 7938.JPG|[[Aloe arborescens]]
 
Image:Babosa1.jpg|''[[Aloe arborescens]]''
 
Image:Babosa1.jpg|''[[Aloe arborescens]]''
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Image:Aloe-x-principis-IMG_0302_hunt07.jpg|''Aloe x principis''
 
Image:Aloe-x-principis-IMG_0302_hunt07.jpg|''Aloe x principis''
 
Image:Aloes on N6 Route.jpg|''[[Aloe - unidentified]]''
 
Image:Aloes on N6 Route.jpg|''[[Aloe - unidentified]]''
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Image:Babosa1.jpg|''[[Aloe arborescens]]''
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Image:Aloe aristata.jpg|''[[Aloe aristata]]''
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Image:Köcherbaum_Köcherbaumwald_01.JPG|''[[Aloe dichotoma]]''
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Image:Aloe_hereroensis_Auob_C15.JPG|''[[Aloe hereroensis]]''
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Image:Aloe_parvula.JPG|''[[Aloe parvula]]''
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Image:Aloe peglerae01.jpg|''[[Aloe peglerae]]''
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Image:Aloe_saponaria_3.jpg|''[[Aloe maculata]]'' flower
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Image:Aloe_sophie_plant_and_flowers.jpg|''[[Aloe sophie]]''
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Image:AloeSpeciosa.jpg|''[[Aloe speciosa]]''
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Image:Aloe_striatula_1.jpg|''[[Aloe striatula]]''
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Image:Aloe_rauhii.jpg|''[[Aloe rauhii]]
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File:Aloe vossii - plant (aka).jpg|Aloe vossii
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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[[Category:Asparagales]]
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==References==
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[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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<references/>
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[[Category:Laxatives]]
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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[[Category:Cosmetic chemicals]]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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{{stub}}
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