Country of origin: Arabian Peninsula, Somalia, Sudan
Description
It is a succulent plant that that grows to a grass height of approximately 160 cm. It grows in stolons and forms a cluster. It has no stalk or short stalk approximately 30 cm in length. Leaves are a narrow lanceolate, 15–60 cm in length, 4–7 cm in width, has a sharp point, and is grayish green with edges that have white or reddish serration. The flower stalk is are approximately 60–100 cm. The flower is an amphoteric flower; the petals are yellow and have racemous inflorescence. Self-incompatible. Birds and African honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) are involved in pollination. It is a CAM plant. Has strong xerotolerance and salt tolerance, but cold tolerance is not very strong (capable of growing at up to −3°C). Propagation is performed by seeding, new bulbs, or tissue culturing.
The leaves contain anthraquinone, resin, tannin, polysaccharide, aloelectin B, etc. It was already used as medicine in Greece circa 400 B.C.E. It is currently cultivated and used around the world.
References
Afolayan, A.J. and Adebola, P.O. 2006. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Schmelzer, G.H. and Gurib-Fakim,
A. (eds). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales
de l'’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. (http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp).
Accessed 10 July 2014.
Chen, X. and Gilbert, M.G. 2000. Aloe. Flora of China 24: 160-161. (http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=101163)
Grace, O.M. 2011. Current perspectives on the economic botany of the genus Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae). South African Journal of Botany 77: 980-987.
アンドリュー・シェヴァリエ.2000.世界薬用植物百科事典.難波恒雄(監訳).誠文堂新光社、東京.
岸密晴・松居謙次.1994.アロエ属.塚本洋太郎(監修).園芸植物大事典 1.pp.173-179.小学館、東京.