Whenever you hear talk of Aloe Vera and it seems that is the only type of Aloe there but you have to know that there are over 200 species of aloes . Although of which there are only a small part of the much-lavish properties of this plant. In this article we want to dispel doubts about the different species of Aloe and explain what are the most effective aloes regarding medicinal properties ...Maybe you have an aloe home and not really know what kind of question or if you thought it was aloe vera and the use you have disappointed. Well here's the solution ...
To begin we must speak of Aloe in general and common features which have their species. Aloe , also called aloe , is a genus of succulent plants in the family Liliaceae with over 200 species . It is native to the dry regions of Africa and the Middle East , although it has spread throughout the world today.
Most species form a rosette of large leaves and thick fleshy emerging from stem short although in some species is very long and even branched . These leaves are usually lanceolate with a sharp apex and spiny margins, the colors vary from gray to bright green and are sometimes striped or mottled. The flowers tubular, with colors from yellow to orange or red, born in a stem without leaves, simple or branched, clustered in dense clusters ( inflorescences ).
Aloe Vera
Aloe star regarding medicinal properties and is therefore the most revered is the Aloe Vera. Therefore, it is widely cultivated for its medicinal and beauty components. Young plants usually have white spots disappear as the plant becomes adult. They bloom in the spring and summer with yellow flowers.
Aloe ARBORESCENS
It is the call premium Aloe Vera and is commonly known as "octopus." is widely used in gardening to grow very fast . As Vera species comes from South Africa. Unlike the rest of Aloes grows as a shrub, reaching up to 4 meters high. Its leaves, like those of the rest of his family grow in a rosette, long and fleshy like the Aloe Vera . With respect to properties, shares with her cousin Vera benefits in treating burns and healing effectiveness . Flowers in winter with colorful flowers yellow, red or orange.
ALOE SAPONARIA
Commonly known as Real Pita. Rosette leaves, broad, very fleshy, 15-20 cm long, bluish-green or reddish brown with white spots cream and brown spiny edges. Red tubular flowers, which are arranged in branched inflorescences and pendants. When grown in pots usually not developed as much as in the ground. was also attributed medicinal properties related to treatment skin conditions.
Small rosette of 15-30 cm in diameter, stems with toothed leaves and succulent. The flowering stem leaves the center of the plant. Their flowers are rich in nectar often attract birds, bees and wasps . It comes from Central Africa.
Aloe BREVIFOLIA
Known as Crocodile tooth . Leaves gray-green, triangular, sharp, teeth showing in the margins. In spring, the flowering stems, 50 cm in length, holding bright red flowers and narrow bell-shaped.
Aloe ciliaris
Commonly known as Aloe climber, has leaves lanceolate, narrow green, with serrated edge. Its flowers are 20-25 cm tall and are loaded with tubular flowers hanging scarlet, yellow marked its end. Flowers in winter-spring. 's very resistant to drought.
Aloe ferox has a single stem and may exceed 2 m in height. Glaucous green leaves, large (up to 1 m long and 15 cm wide), lanceolate, fleshy, sometimes provided with teeth on both sides. Flowers small, tubular, clustered in dense. Its flowers have a long stem with a flower red-orange, with brown spots inside the perianth lobes. Flowers in winter.
This plant is embedded in the form rosettes around 45 cm in diameter. No spines. It has clusters of bell-shaped flowers on stems dark orange even longer.
Aloe VARIEGATA
Known as Tiger Aloe or Partridge Breast. This miniature aloe measured enters 10 and 20 cm wide. It has white markings on the leaves. Branched inflorescence about 30 cm high with cylindrical racemes 10-20 cm long that group 20 or 30 flowers of a beautiful salmon color (pink), which measure 3.5-4.5 cm in length. Winter-spring flowering. lives well indoors.
Physically resembling a common Aloe , but in miniature. It grows vertically and grouped. Its leaves form rosettes green spiral with white specks and small spines. Preferred hot climates, and therefore the spring and summer. Not stand frost, but after these will sprout. It blooms: a long wand or large stem on the end of small flowers are small bells shaped, orange-red.
Other common varieties are the Aloe maculata also has medicinal properties, haworthioides Aloe and Aloe marlothii that is very similar to ferox but its flowers are yellow.
Web Sources: wikipedia, Infojardín, jardininfinito.
Bibliography: The Great Book of Aloe Vera.