El Aloe vera It is one of the most popular non-cacti succulents, also known as succulents, in the world. Its medicinal properties have made it a species that many of us want to have in our patios or gardens because we know that sooner or later it can be useful to us. Now, how do you know if it is true?
In many places we find plants mislabeled, which leads to confusion. To avoid this, in Jardinería On we are going to explain how to distinguish the true Aloe vera.
What are the parts of the Aloe vera?
El Aloe vera It has characteristics that, although they are common to other Aloe species, it does have some details that make it unique. They are as follows:
- Leaves: succulents, 40 to 50cm long by 5-8cm wide. They are grouped in a basal rosette of up to 20 more or less triangular shaped leaves. They are straight, grayish-green, glaucous and serrated. They may or may not have white spots, but if they do, you should know that they are more common in young specimens.
- Inflorescences: they are 70 to 100cm tall. They are grouped in clusters of 30-50 by 5-6cm. It is simple and dense.
- Flowers: they are grouped in inflorescences in the form of a raceme and are yellow.
- Fruit: it is a 20-25 by 6-8mm capsule.
- Seeds: they measure 0,5cm.
- Stem: it can be acaule (not have a stem) or have a very short one.
- Young: produces them from an early age.
Where does it live?
El Aloe vera it is believed to be native to Arabia. Today has become naturalized in warm and temperate regions around the world, including the Mediterranean. It can be found from sea level to 200 meters of altitude, in coastal sand, altered and nitrified.
Of course, also in many gardens, patios and balconies. In fact, if you have one, you have to transplant it from time to time so that it can continue to grow. Here's how to do it:
Are there different types of Aloe vera?
No. Aloe vera is the name given to a single species, so in other words, Aloe vera is the name of the species. The only thing that can differentiate from one specimen to another are the little white spots or dots, or that some do not have a stem while others do have a very short one. But nothing more.
What do exist are many types of Aloe. Aloe is the name of the genus to which our protagonist belongs, and it includes about 500 species or varieties: some are acaules such as A. vera or aloe, others grow to form bushes (Aloe arborescens).
But all of them have the leaves and flowers with the same shape, and although they grow in different parts of the world, they usually do so in the same conditions of sun and heat. The only thing that changes, apart from the scientific name, is the color and size, in addition to the uses since the vast majority of aloes are not medicinal.
Types of Aloe
We want to go a little deeper into this topic, since we believe that it will help you to better differentiate the Aloe vera of the other aloes. So let's see what some of the most popular are like:
Aloe arborescens
Image - Wikimedia / Ton Rulkens
El Aloe arborescens It is a native plant of Africa, specifically of the southeastern coast. It grows like a very branched bush about 1 meter high. Its leaves have a serrated margin, and are glaucous green.. The flowers are scarlet orange in color, and bloom in winter.
aloe ciliaris
Image - Wikimedia / Salicyna
El aloe ciliaris it is a species native to South Africa. It grows as a climbing plant, which is why it is known as climbing aloe, and it can measure up to 10 meters. Its leaves are green, with very, very short white toothy margins. The flowers are orange with a greenish tip.
aloe ferox
Image - Flickr / brewbooks
El aloe ferox is an arborescent plant native to South Africa. It has a single stem that can measure up to 3 meters, and its leaves are glaucous green., with reddish spines both on the upper side and on the underside. The flowers are yellow, very pretty, but you have to be patient to see them because their growth rate is slow.
aloe maculate
Image - Wikimedia / Digigalos
El aloe maculate it is a type of aloe endemic to South Africa. It does not usually form a stem, but if it does, it is short. The leaves are greenish with white spots, and the margins are jagged. As for its flowers, they are reddish or orange, and the inflorescence is more spherical in shape than those of other species.
aloe striata
Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT
El aloe striata It is, if I may say so, one of the most beautiful stemless (or very short) species of aloe in existence. It is endemic to South Africa, and It is characterized by having broad leaves, green in color except for the margins, which are more pink. Its flowers are coral red. The height of the plant is about 40 centimeters at most.
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I hope it has helped you to more easily identify the Aloe vera.
I would like to know which of the aloes or aloe vera is the one that cures pterygium or fleshy eyes and where to buy it (online) because here in the New Jersey greenhouses I cannot find it.
Hello Miriam.
The only aloe that has medicinal properties is Aloe vera, but I can't tell you if it cures that problem, I'm sorry.
Greetings.
Could you please put the image of Aloe Vera medicinal that cures or reduces the discomfort of gastritis and reflux. Thanks
Hi Dina.
Medicinal Aloe vera is the aloe vera : )
In the article there are pictures (the first and second, for example, it is).
Greetings.
I have an Aloe of Moroccan origin but I don't know if it's Aloe-Vera, every year it gives me many shoots which I give away. How can I know if it is Aloe-vers and is it palatable?
Hi Patricia.
Aloe vera has green leaves, sometimes with some white dots if it is very young. You can compare your plant with the ones we show in the article.
A greeting.