Aloe

Flower Species Types of Flowers African Daisy Bicolor Iris Bush Lily Calla Lily Cape Honeysuckle Euphorbia Gazania Ice Plant Paintbrush Lily Wild Iris

Aloe is the general name for a group of succulent plants, often placed in its own family, Aloaceae.

Most species are easily recognizable as plants with long spiny green leaves. The typically thin, flowers, in shades of orange, yellow and red, grow on long stems that rise from between the plant's leaves.

One well known variety of aloe, aloe-vera, has a history as a medicinal plant. The National Institute of Health (NIH) report on Aloe takes a very cautious approach to the medicinal claims, noting some research about the plant's utility as a topical agent gel applied to skin abrasions.

Cacti and aloe commonly make the top ten list for easiest to grow houseplants. In warm, dry and sunny locations, species from both groups often grow without much further maintenance.

Most experts suggest that aloe blooms more easily in outdoor settings rather than indoor settings. However, there are more than a handful of examples of indoor flowering aloe to be seen around the internet.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels