Submitted by: Jim Tanner, edited by Maria Capaldo

Aloe, is a genus containing more than four hundred species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) or “true aloe”.  The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa’s Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighboring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands off Africa.

The APG II system (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 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 popularly but incorrectly referred to as “aloes” and are known to hybridize with Aloes.

There has been a recent reclassification of the genus Aloe. Molecular studies suggest that not all aloe species have the same evolutionary origin and hence are less closely related than previously thought. Based on those findings, some species have been separated from the genus Aloe and moved into a separate genus. While only a relatively small number of species is affected, they do include some very popular garden plants.

• Aloidendronm now accommodates six familiar species of tree aloes.  Aloidendron barberae (=Aloe barberae, the type), Aloidendron dichotomum (=Aloe dichotoma) and Aloidendron pillansii (=Aloe pillansii).
• The old generic name Kumara, dating from 1786, has been resurrected to house Kumara plicatilis (=Aloe plicatilis) and Kumara haemanthifolia.
• Aloe aristata is now its own genus of Aristaloe aristata.
• Gonialoe consists of 3 species: Gonialoe dinteri, Gonialoe sladeniana and Gonialoe variegata, all epithets coming from Aloe.
• Seven species and three varieties of rambling aloes, now have their own genus, Aloiampelos, named from the Greek word for climbing plant, ampelos.  These include Aloiampelos ciliaris (=Aloe ciliaris, the type) and Aloiampelos commixta (=Aloe commixta), Aloiampelos tenuior, Aloiampelos gracilis, Aloiampelos juddii, Aloiampelos decumbens, and Aloeiampelos striatula, They are typically multi-branched climbing or sprawling shrubs, with long spindly stems and a large woody base on the ground. This genera is limited to Southern Africa.

Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, pink or red and are borne on densely clustered, simple or branched leafless stems (inflorescences.) Many species of Aloe appear to be stemless, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in color from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arborescent.

Aloe vera (=Aloe barbadensis) and Aloe Ferox are known for their medicinal uses to produce the gel used in creams, emollients and soothing ointments. The gel is the clear, jelly-like inner substance. It is distinct from the toxic, yellow, bitter, “aloin” sap (latex) found just under the skin of the leaves.

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.

LATIN LOOKUP – Loquerisne Latine (Do you speak Latin)?

The meanings of latin plant names on this page – from https://davesgarden.com/guides/botanary/

• Aloe [AL-oh]
  From the Arabic Alloeh.
• arborescens [ar-bo-RES-senz]
  Tree-like.
• arenicola [ar-en-EE-koh-luh]
  Inhabiting or dwelling in sandy places.
• brevifolia [brev-ee-FOH-lee-uh]
  Short leaves.
• broomii [BROOM-ee-eye]
  Named for Dr. Robert Broom, 20th century anthropologist.
• cameronii [kam-er-ON-ee-eye]
  Named for Kenneth L. Cameron, who discovered this species of Aloe in Nyasaland (now Malawi).
• pictifolia [pic-tee-FOH-lee-uh]
  Painted, variegated or spotted leaves.
• plicatilis [ply-KAY-til-iss]
  Folded or pleated.
• polyphylla [pol-ee-FIL-uh]
  Many leaves.
• variegata [var-ee-GAY-tuh]
  Variegated.
• vera [VER-uh, VER-uh]
  True.