Types of Aloe vera

El Aloe vera it is one of the best known succulent plants in the world. Who has not ever dared to have a copy in their house or yard? Taking into account its many health benefits, and how easy it is to take care of it, it is easy to be tempted to buy it, since its flowers are also very showy.

But, although it is cultivated frequently, it is possible to confuse it with other species of aloes or sabilas. In fact, It is believed that there are several types of Aloe vera, but in reality there is only one. And then we will tell you how to differentiate it from others.

Why is it said that there are different types of Aloe vera?

The genus Aloe, which is the group where the species is included Aloe vera, is made up of about 525 different varieties, which are native to Africa, Madagascar and the Middle East. They live in hot, dry regions, often in direct sunlight., which in those places is very strong.

As a consequence of living in these conditions, have evolved turning their leaves into warehouses water, which is why they are fleshy, and to take advantage of energy for growth only when the heat is not so intense. But in doing so, and since they are genetically related, there are many species of aloes that look alike. Actually, they all have the same characteristics:

• Fleshy leaves, more or less triangular in shape, and more or less wide and thick.
• Spike flowers, yellow, orange-red or red in color.
• Many of them are acaules (they lack a stem), although there are some that do develop a very short stem, as is the case with Aloe vera. It is important to say that until 2013 tree species were included, that is, with a true trunk, but now these are part of the Aloidendron genus. For instance, aloe dichotoma is now Aloidendron dichotomum.
• Production of suckers. They also do it from an early age and in large numbers. This allows them to '' take over '' areas more quickly than others. Not that they are invasive per se, as they need a warm climate to live, well-drained soil, and receive water from time to time. But given the opportunity, they may have invasive potential, such as the aloe maculate in the Mediterranean region.

So what varieties of Aloe vera exist?

Well, if we focus only on this species, it has long been believed that Aloe vera Barbadensis, or Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller were a subspecies of the common aloe vera. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let's see why:

• Aloe vera 'Barbadensis': it was the scientific name that the horticulturist Philip Miller gave it in 1768. Today it is in disuse.
• Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller: It is an incorrect name, since Miller is the last name of the person who named him for the first time more than two centuries ago.

But if we want to investigate more in the taxonomy, we will see that this plant has also been called:

• Aloe chinensisIn 1877.
• aloe indicatesIn 1839.
• Aloe perfoliata var. barbadensisIn 1789.
• Aloe rubescensIn 1799.
• aloe vulgarisIn 1783.

Even aloe maculate y Aloe variegata, two scientific names that today correspond to two types of plants similar but not identical to the Aloe vera, as you can see below.

What about the white spots on the leaves?

The white spots or dots that aloe leaves sometimes have is what often brings us headlong. Does this mean that an item with dots is not a Aloe vera? Or if it is but is another variety? Does the one that does not have points have more properties, or does the one that does have them?

Well, all these questions are answered with one answer: el Aloe vera During his youth he does usually have whiteheads, but as he gets older they stop having them. Its properties are the same, because they are the same plant.

And what properties are those? The following:

• It is a natural antiseptic
• Hydrates the skin and hair
• Reduce constipation
• It is anti-inflammatory

You can use it topically, in gels or creams, or if you prefer by drinking aloe vera water, which we recommend buying already prepared as it has a slightly less bitter taste.

For more information, we recommend reading this article:

Related article:

How to distinguish the true Aloe vera?

Categories Aloe vera

As we have commented, there are no different types of Aloe vera: only one. But let's see what are some species that can be confused with it:

• Aloe arborescens: it is a shrubby variety, which reaches a height of 1 to 4 meters, and has green-glaucous leaves. The flowers are red spikes. See file.
• aloe ciliaris: The climbing aloe is a variety that reaches a height of 10 meters. It has green leaves and grows in a spiral. Its flowers are orange. See file.
  

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Pierre Mirosa

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Stefano

  
  
• Aloe humilis: it is a species that grows up to 10 centimeters in height. It forms groups of up to 30 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are thin, green, and it produces red flowers.
• aloe juvenna: it is a small variety, about 5-7 centimeters high, that produces leaves with white dots on both sides and with a yellow margin with teeth.

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Digigalos

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Frank Vincentz

  
  
• Aloe maculata / Aloe saponaria: it is a plant that reaches an approximate height of 40 centimeters. It has green leaves with white dots, and its flowers are red. See file.
• Aloe perfoliata: it is a type of aloe that reaches 75 centimeters in height. It grows in groups of rosettes made up of green leaves and serrated margins. Its flowers are red. See file.

  

  Image - Wikimedia / Bernard DUPONT

  

  Image - Wikimedia / stephen boisvert

  
  
• aloe striata: The coral aloe is a plant that has bluish-green leaves, with simple pinkish margins. The flowers it produces are coral red in color.
• Aloe variegata: it is a variety that reaches a maximum height of 30 centimeters, and has fleshy, dark green leaves with white stripes. Its flowers are orange. See file.

We hope that now you can identify the Aloe vera easily. In case of doubt, If you have the opportunity, compare your plant with others that you think are similar to it, and look at the details: size, color and shape of the leaf, color and shape of the flowers, the bearing. Thus, you will be able to distinguish aloe from other species of Aloe.