Aloe vera
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Aloe vera

Barbados aloe
ungentine cactus
medicinal aloe
Aloe vera

  family aloaceae 
  genus aloe 

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Identification
Genus  Aloe Species  vera Variety  Cultivar  Common names  Barbados aloe   ungentine cactus   medicinal aloe   Aloe vera Family  ALOACEAE Specimen number  S11342 Data source  HtZn p73;MedPl p57
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Annual Life span  1 year Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  2' - 4' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun to light shade Water  Well drained Optimal soil texture  Sandy Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  USDA zones 10a-11 AHS heat zones  Heat zones 12-03 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  This somewhat tender plant can only survive cold winter nights that dip to 30� Fahrenheit. Aloe vera needs summer days with high heat. The best soil for Aloe vera (also known as Barbados aloe, medicinal aloe or ungentine cactus) has a texture that is sandy. Full sun to light shade is best for growing this plant. It usually does best in well drained soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  heals burns   emollient   vulnerary   cholagogue   laxative Medicinal parts  Leaves Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  yes Legally restricted  yes Toxicity precautions  The bitter yellow juice from its leaf base is toxic. Medicinal notes  Aloe vera has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a burn treatment, as an emollient, as a vulnerary and as a cholagogue. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. Aloe vera (sometimes called Barbados aloe, medicinal aloe or ungentine cactus) is not safe for use during pregnancy. It is illegal in some countries to possess or use this plant without proper certification. Traditional medicinal remedies are made from the leaves. The bitter yellow juice from its leaf base is toxic.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes 
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Aloe vera has an annual life cycle. Leaves: Aloe vera (locally known in some parts as Barbados aloe, medicinal aloe or ungentine cactus) has rosettes of fleshy, sword-point leaves that are up to 3' long. Flowers: This plant has dense clusters of flowers. Typically the flowers are either yellow or orange.

Page 212 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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