- Aloe is the genus name of approximately 400 species of plants mostly native to Africa. Aloe plants are used worldwide as medicinal and ornamental plants, which has led to their naturalization in many countries. Aloe can be found naturalized in the southeastern United States, South America and Europe.
- The various uses of Aloe include treatment for wounds and burns, herbal drinks, nutritional supplements and medical research. As ornamental plants, Aloe are valued for their large, succulent foliage and tall, brightly colored flower spikes. Additionally, many of the species used ornamentally are tolerant of dry soil conditions, making them relatively easy to care for.
- Aloe reproduce by seed or self propagation by new offshoots. In nature, reproduction by seed is most common. In cultivation, both commercially and for home gardening, reproduction by seed and self propagation are common. Most Aloe species have tubular-shaped flowers borne in spiked clusters in bright colors such as yellow, pink and red. The bright colors attract potential pollinators.
- The flowers of Aloe species are commonly visited by birds and insects such as bees. While the birds or bees forage for nectar in the flowers, pollen from the plants' anthers (male reproductive structures) sticks to the bird or insect and is carried to another Aloe flower. Pollen is rubbed onto another Aloe plant's pistil (female reproductive structure) and moves down a pollen tube, where it is fertilized. Most Aloe species cannot pollinate themselves.
- After fertilization and fruit development, Aloe fruit mature and then begin to dry. The seed capsules will dry to a point where they split open, and the seed can be dispersed. Aloe seed are light and winged, which aid in their dispersal by wind. Seeds are the main source of dispersal for Aloe plants in nature.
- Vegetative propagation occurs when an Aloe plant produces a new shoot from its stem. The shoot will develop into another Aloe plant. This would only lead to a very slow spread in nature, but gardeners commonly use this characteristic to propagate new Aloe plants. This type of reproduction can create a colony of Aloe, and they can be broken off and potted or planted in a garden.
