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{{SPlantbox

{{SPlantbox

|genus=Aloe

|genus=Aloe

|species=vera

|species=vera

|Temp Metric=°F

|Temp Metric=°F

|image=Aloe vera flower inset.png

|image=Upload.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, Linn. (A. perfoliata vera, Linn. A. elongata, Murr. A. barbadensis, Mill. A. vulgaris. Lam. A. flava, Pers.). Cespitose, the sts. at length 1-1 % 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. Fiori & Paoletti, Fl. Ital. 1, p. 206. Sibthorpe, Fl. Graeca, 341. Salm, Aloe §18. f. 2. Stephenson & Churchill, Med. Bot., 109. Bentley & Trimen, Med. PI. 282. Berger 84. —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.), DC., PL Gr. 15; a smaller Asiatic form with red-tinged fls., var. chinensis (A. Indica, Royle. A. chinensis, Baker), B.M. 6301; and a hardier garden form of this, var. Lanzae, Berger (A. Lanzae, Tod.), Tod., Hort. Pan. 39. Berger 84.

''Aloe vera'' is a stemless or very short-stemmed [[succulent]] plant growing to 60–100&nbsp;cm (24–39&nbsp;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=&quot;Yates&quot;>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&nbsp;cm (0.8–1.2&nbsp;in) long.<ref name=&quot;Yates&quot;/><ref name=&quot;BPGE&quot;>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 &#61; Zhongyaocai &#61; Journal of Chinese medicinal materials |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=1–3 |year=2002 |month=January |pmid=12583231 |doi= |url=}}</ref>

Aloe humilis, Haw. (A. perfoliata humilis, Linn.). Lvs. suberect, rather incurved, triangular-lanceolate, ¾ x 4 in., gradually acute, somewhat striate, sharply white- tuberculate, at least on the back, and with rather close large white marginal teeth: infl. 1½-2 ft. high: fls. 1½ in. long, red or yellowish, the green-tipped segm. distinct nearly to the base. Cape. Sahn, Aloe §15, f. 1.—With somewhat the habit of Haworthia. Varies from the narrow green-lvd. type into glaucous forms of this, with rather thicker lvs., var. incurva, Haw. (A. incurva, Haw.), B.M. 828, Salm, Aloe §15, f. 3, and rather thin, more concave lvs., var. echinäta, Baker (A. echinata, Willd.), Salm. Aloe §15, f. 2., Berger 64, 65, and one with purplish lvs., var. macilenta, Baker; as well as a broader-lvd. glaucous large form, var. suberecta, Baker (A. suberecta, Haw. A. acuminata major, Salm-Dyck), which is sometimes white-mottled, var. semiguttata, Haw.; a moderately large broad-lvd. form, var. acuminate, Baker (A. acuminata, Haw., A. suberecta. Haw.), B.M. 757; and a small blue- glaucous form with closer prickles and smaller warts, var. subtuberculata, Baker (A. subtuberculata, Haw.). Hybrids are: A. x insignis, Brown (A. humilis x A. drepanophylla), A. x spinosissima, Hort. (A. humilis echinata X A. arborescens pachythyrsa), A. x cyanea, Hort. (A. humilis incurva x A. arborescens frutescens), A. x Todari, Borzi, (A. Todari praecox, Borzi,) A. x Grusonii, Henze, Monatschr. Kakteenk. 11, p. 57. (A. humilis x A. Schimperi), A. x Henzei, Hort. (A. Grusonii x A. variegata), and perhaps A. x laetecoccinea.

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{{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 &quot;Barbados aloes.&quot; 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 &quot;Barbados aloes.&quot; 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.).

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

''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=&quot;Yates&quot;/> The species is hardy in [[Hardiness zone|zones]] 8–11,  although it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow.<ref name=&quot;BPGE&quot;/><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 &quot;cacti and succulent mix&quot; is recommended as they allow good drainage.<ref name=&quot;GA&quot;>{{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=&quot;GA&quot;/>  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=&quot;BPGE&quot;/>

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===

{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

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==

==Species==

==Gallery==

==Gallery==

<gallery>

<gallery>

Image:Upload.png| photo 1

File:Aloë-vera-total.JPG|Some varieties of ''Aloe vera'' have no spots.

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

File:Echte_Aloe_von_oben.JPG|Another ''Aloe vera'' plant

Image:Aloe vera.jpg|Flowers

Image:Aloe vera.jpg|Flowers

Image:Aloe vera leaf.jpg|Leaf close up

Image:Aloe vera leaf.jpg|Leaf close up

==External links==

==External links==

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*{{wplink}}