Family: Asphodelaceae
Author: (L.) Burm.f.
Bibliography: Fl. Indica: 83 (1768)
Year: 1768
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Aloe
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: N. Oman (Hajar Mts.)
Description
Barbados aloe, scientifically known as Aloe vera, is a well-regarded plant that belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. First documented in “Flora Indica” on page 83 in 1768 by (L.) Burm.f., Aloe vera has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries.
This succulent species stands out due to its fleshy, green leaves, which are often edged with small, white teeth. Native to the Hajar Mountains in Northern Oman, Aloe vera thrives in arid, desert-like conditions where it has adapted to conserve water effectively. Its leaves, which store large quantities of moisture, are not only crucial for its survival but also prized for their medicinal properties.
The gel contained within the leaves of Barbados aloe is renowned worldwide for its soothing and healing properties. It is commonly used in skincare products to treat burns, wounds, and other skin irritations. Additionally, Aloe vera has found its way into the health and wellness industry, credited for its digestive benefits and potential immune-boosting properties.
In horticulture, this resilient plant is a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, valued for its low maintenance and minimal water requirements. Barbados aloe can be a charming addition to home gardens and indoor spaces, providing both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
In summary, Aloe vera, or Barbados aloe, is a versatile and historically significant plant with extensive applications in medicine, wellness, and horticulture, making it a true botanical treasure of the Asphodelaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: barbados aloe, curaçao aloe, indian aloe, jaffarabad aloe, mediterranean aloe, west indian aloe, aloe vera, burn plant, coastal aloe, common aloe, medicinal aloe, star cactus, true aloe, unguentine cactus, aloe, barbados aloes, common aloes
Spa: acibar, acíbar, aloe, aloja, atzavara, flor de deserto, lináloe, loto de deserto, maguey morado, penca sábila, pita zabila, pitera amarelo, sábila do penca, sávila, toots amarelo, zabila, zabira, áloe de los barbados
Ell: allas, aloi
Fra: aloès amer, aloès vulgaire, mazambron
Por: aloé, aloé-dos-barbados, babosa, babosa-medicinal, erva-azebra, erva-babosa
Deu: echte aloe
Swe: äkta aloe
Mlt: żabbara
En: Barbados aloe, Curaçao aloe, Indian aloe, Jaffarabad aloe, Mediterranean aloe, West Indian aloe, Aloe vera, Burn plant, Coastal aloe, Common aloe, Medicinal aloe, Star cactus, True aloe, Unguentine cactus, Aloe, Barbados Aloes, Common Aloes
Fr: Aloès amer, Aloès vulgaire, Mazambron, Aloé, Aloès
De: Echte Aloe
El: Allas, Aloi
He: אלוי אמיתי
Mt: Żabbara
Pt: Aloé, Aloé-dos-barbados, Babosa, Babosa-medicinal, Erva-azebra, Erva-babosa
Es: Acibar, Acíbar, Aloe, Aloja, Atzavara, Flor de deserto, Lináloe, Loto de deserto, Maguey morado, Penca sábila, Pita zabila, Pitera amarelo, Sábila do penca, Sávila, Toots amarelo, Zabila, Zabira, Áloe de los Barbados
Sv: Äkta aloe
Synonyms
- Aloe vera var. lanzae (Baker)
- Aloe littoralis (J.Koenig ex Baker)
- Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis (Haw.)
- Aloe vulgaris (Lam.)
- Aloe rubescens (DC.)
- Aloe indica (Royle)
- Aloe perfoliata var. vera (L.)
- Aloe flava (Pers.)
- Aloe barbadensis (Mill.)
- Aloe vera var. chinensis ((Loudon) Baker)
- Aloe vera var. littoralis (J.Koenig ex Baker)
- Aloe chinensis (Loudon)
- Aloe perfoliata var. barbadensis ((Mill.) Aiton)
- Aloe lanzae (Tod.)
Distribution
- Oman (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Aruba (introduced)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Baleares (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Aegean Is. (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Gulf States (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Saudi Arabia (introduced)
- Sicilia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tunisia (introduced)
- Turkey (introduced)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Yemen (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 31, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Johan Caron (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2019 by Annie Wateau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Dumbrava Isabella (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 7, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 16, 2018 by Heinz-Helmut Stender (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 31, 2020 by aitana (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 11, 2019 by Teresa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 9, 2020 by G Pedro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 29, 2020 by berkan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2018 by Karima Klf (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 22, 2019 by Kazeem Daramola Afeez (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2021 by anup masih (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Abdulghaffar Alirezaie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Dan Maxwell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Desirée García (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 17, 2020 by blooder blooder (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Rosa Esvès (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2022 by G Money (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Dietlind Becker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Utarefson (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Cardo azul (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2022 by Jantieiene V (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Javier Cervantes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dyah Wiryasandjaja (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Almas Nurbaiti Almas (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:530017-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2777724)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)
