Aloe vera
Family: Asphodelaceae
One of the few plants actually known primarily by its botanical name (at least with English speakers) this species is a very popular plant that gets about 1-2’ tall. Foliage is succulent, and grayish-green though foliage takes on a tan or coppery hue with drought or cold weather, or intense sun exposure. Flowers occur in spring into early summer and are normally yellow though some plants have orange flowers. These flower spikes can rise up from 2-5’ tall.
Plant in full to part sun. Moderate to low water is needed. Best to water 3-4 times a month in summer, and about once or twice a month in winter (Aloes are cool-season growers). Protect plants from frost—plants are generally hardy to about 28°F. Plants usually grow out of their frost damage in a few months. For lush, clean-looking plants, protect from frost. In late winter, into spring, blooms appear and can last into summer. They are usually yellow but sometimes are orange.
The plant is normally pollinated by sunbirds in its native habitat. In our region hummingbirds most closely resemble sunbirds and are effective pollinators. Many insects and birds use the flowers.
The genus name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning "bitter and shiny substance". The specific epithet vera comes from verus meaning "true" in Latin. There are 594 species of Aloe native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean. This species has naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Previously this plant was known as Aloe barbadensis.
Two substances from Aloe vera – a clear gel and its yellow latex – are used to manufacture commercial products. Aloe gel typically is used to make topical medications for skin conditions, such as burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, and dry skin. Aloe latex is used individually or manufactured as a product with other ingredients to be ingested for relief of constipation. Aloe latex may be obtained in a dried form called resin or as "aloe dried juice".
Aloe vera gel is used commercially as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages, and some desserts, but at high or prolonged doses, ingesting aloe latex or whole leaf extract can be toxic. Use of topical aloe vera in small amounts is likely to be safe.
There is some dispute about some of the populations of plants considered to be Aloe vera—that they may be a variety, or another species. Part of the problem is that there is no known native occurrence of the species and it is thought to have been in cultivation for nearly four millennia with plants naturalized along trade routes throughout much of the world, which makes it pretty hard to track its origins. Plants don’t produce seed, which also might suggest a hybrid origin.
Aloe vera is considered to be native only to the south-east Arabian Peninsula in the Hajar Mountains in north-eastern Oman and eastern United Arab Emirates However, it has been widely cultivated around the world, and has become naturalized in North Africa, as well as Sudan and neighboring countries, along with the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands. It has also naturalized in the Algarve region of Portugal, and in wild areas across Spain, especially in the region of Murcia. This aloe can live outside of cultivation but does not seem to reproduce sexually or spread, so it is not a concern as an invasive species in our region. Most plants found out in the wild were usually planted by someone long ago, especially during the early 20th century.
Aloe vera is very often grown in pots, even indoors, though proper sun will encourage healthier growth. Photo by Lionsleeps23, Wikipedia
Aloe vera usually has yellow flowers that appear in spring. Photo by Michal Ducháček, iNaturalist
Some plants have orange flowers, photo by Rujuta Vinod, iNaturalist