SafePlants

Aloe vera: The "First Aid Plant"

Aloe vera, a popular succulent, is often called the "First Aid Plant" or "Medicinal Aloe" due to its long history of use for its perceived healing properties.

Considerations for Pets

• The text states that Aloe, in general, "can be harmful to pets if ingested," and mentions "Aloe Latex (Aloe Juice) is a yellowish, bitter" substance.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that Aloe vera has been used "as a deterrent to thumb sucking," implying that it has a taste or other property that might be unpleasant to children.
• The plant has leaves "edged with tiny yellow teeth," which may present a minor physical hazard.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. or Aloe barbadensis Mill.
• Common Names: Chinese Aloe, Indian Aloe, True Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Burn Aloe, First Aid Plant, Wand of Heaven, Miracle Plant, Medicine Plant, Cape Aloe, Zanzibar Aloe, Socotrine Aloe, Curacao Aloe, Lily of the Desert.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Aloaceae (Liliaceae is also mentioned)
• Synonyms: Aloe barbadensis
• The species epithet vera means "true" or "genuine."

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to northern Africa, but naturalized throughout the tropics.
• Mentioned locations include Barbados and Bonaire.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Evergreen perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate.
• Stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant forming dense clumps.
• Leaves are light green, grayish-green or dull green with spiny or "tiny yellow teeth"-edged margins.
• Produces tall spikes of tubular greenish-yellow flowers in the summer.

Quirky Facts

• It has been used as a purgative, applied to thumbs to deter thumb sucking, and used as a shampoo.

Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).
• Medical Dictionary.
• Dictionary.com Unabridged.
• dict.cc German-English Dictionary.
• Discover Life.