Aloes offer a great variety of species

Content

• Aloes offer a great variety of species
• Aloe vera (true aloe, also aloe barbadensis Miller, aloe vulgaris, aloe chinensis, etc.)
  
• Aloe arborescens (also Baumaloe or Eternal Aloe)
  
• Aloe ferox (also Cape Aloe or Wild Aloe)
  
• Tips & Tricks

The tree aloe, aloe arborescens, is just one of 500 aloe species

Aloes offer a great variety of species

Aloe is a species-rich genus of asparagus, whose origin is believed to be in the Arabian Peninsula. The plants have thick, water-storing, at the edge thorny toothed leaves, which are usually arranged in rosettes at the stem or branch end.

Next Article Aloe vera - a houseplant with healing powers

The genus has a total of about 500 species, most of which are protected wild aloe species by inclusion in the Washington Convention on the protection of species. Several aloe species are cultivated in this country as houseplants. The fleshy, glossy leaves and the flowers in yellow, red or orange are a very attractive appearance on the windowsill or in the conservatory. The most well-known type is the Aloe Vera - the genuine Aloe.

The distribution areas of most aloe species are the tropical and subtropical regions of

Aloe vera (true aloe, also aloe barbadensis Miller, aloe vulgaris, aloe chinensis, etc.)

Aloe vera, also called desert lily, measures about 35-55 cm when fully grown. The lanceolate, 30-60 cm long leaves are colored blue-green and not infrequently provided with tender green or white spots. At the edges, the leaves are covered with soft, reddish-colored spines. The orange or red, tubular flowers appear between April and August on the upright inflorescences.

Aloe vera is especially used in the cosmetics industry because of its skin-care and -regenerating substances. But it is also said to have a healing effect on constipation and burns. The aloe vera trend, which has been going on for years, does not stop at food and commodities. You can buy shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, but also yogurt, panty liners or cotton swabs with aloe vera.

Aloe arborescens (also Baumaloe or Eternal Aloe)

Aloe arborescens is native to South Africa and has a rather shrubby habit. Over time, the plant develops one or more stems, at the ends of which the leaf rosettes form. The trunk of a houseplant can reach a height of up to one and a half meters. At the foot of the trunk, further side shoots form, after a pruning the plant drives out again.

Aloe ferox (also Cape Aloe or Wild Aloe)

Aloe ferox is native to the arid areas of South Africa. It grows as a simple trunk up to 3 meters high and expansive. The leaves are about 80 cm long, dull green and spiked. Aloe ferox is said to be medically more effective and ecologically more tolerable because it is not grown on huge plantations in monocultures and is stimulated by fertilizers for faster growth.

Tips & Tricks

Already in the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC Was the aloe in medicine as well as a fumigant in use. In Egypt, it was mixed with myrrh and used in embalming. Aloe wood was chewed in the ancient world to the mind. Aloe has appeared in German pharmacopoeias since the 12th century.