Introduction to The British Gardener's website

Aloe vera

COMMON NAME

Aloe vera

TYPE

Low Foliage

FAMILY

Asphodelaceae

NOTES

A stemless or very short-stemmed plant growing to 24–39 inches tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 35 in tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla. Aloe vera, the ‘plant of immortality’ according to Ancient Egyptians, is said to have been used by Cleopatra as part of her beauty regime more than 2,000 years ago. Today, the gel inside Aloe vera leaves is the magic ingredient behind many sunburn remedies, cosmetic products, and tonics that aid digestion. Aloe vera is one of the most used plants in the world.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION

Arabian Peninsula

NATIVE HABITAT

Rocky and exposed areas in dry climates

WEB SOURCES

wikipedia.org

kew.org

missouribotanicalgarden.org


Aloe vera