Aloe
(from Alloeh, its Arabic name). Allied genera: Apicra, Haworthia, Pachidendron, Phylloma. Including Rhipodendron. ORD. Liliaceae. This hitherto much confused genus, and its allies, have been completely revised by Mr. J. G. Baker (vide "Journal of the Linnean Society," vol. xxviii. pp. 152-182), to whose account we are indebted for many of the following particulars:--Plant with or without stems; shrubs or (rarely) trees; leaves thick, fleshy, frequently in a rosette; peduncles simple or racemed, endowed with few or many empty bracts. Flowers racemed; pedicels bracteated at base, solitary; perianth-tube straight or slightly recurved; segments elongated; stamens hypogynous, as long as the perianth, or longer. Mr. Baker describes over eighty species, many of which, for various and important reasons, have no claim upon our space. Natives of the Cape of Good Hope, except where otherwise stated. These very interesting and curious plants thrive well in a mixture of open loam and peat, together with a small quantity of well decomposed manure. If old brick rubbish, or any other similar material is mixed with the soil to ensure perfect and rapid drainago, so much the better. Water, especially during winter, must be carefully administered. They thrive in an ordinary greenhouse, and cannot have too much light at any time. A. abyssinica (Abyssinian).* fl., perianth twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme dense-oblong, 3in. to 4in. long, and 2in. to 3in. broad; lower pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncle branched, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. l. about twenty in a rosette, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 2 1/2ft. long, acuminate, green, sometimes spotted, five to six lines thick in middle; back rounded; marginal prickles distant, deltoid, one to two lines long. Stem simple, 1ft. to 2ft. long, 2in. to 3in. in diameter. Abyssinia, 1777. SYN. A. maculata. A. a. Peacockii (Peacock's). This is a rare variety. A. africana (African). fl., perianth yellow, fifteen to eighteen lines long; racemes dense, 1ft. in length, 3in. in diameter; peduncle very strong, branched. l. in a dense rosette, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 2 1/2in. to 3in. broad, slowly narrowing from base to the apex, channelled above the middle, where it is four to five lines thick; marginal prickles close, one and a half to two lines long. Stem simple, when fully grown, 20ft. A. albispina (white-spined).* fl., perianth red, 1 1/2in. long; raceme dense, nearly 1ft. long, 4in. broad; lower pedicels fifteen to eighteen lines long; peduncles simple, 1 1/2ft. l. loosely disposed, lanceolate, ascending, 6in. to 8in. long, 2in. broad, green, without spots or lines; face concave upwards; middle three to four lines thick; back sparingly tubercled; marginal prickles white, horny, two lines long. Stem simple, short, 1in. to 1 1/2in. in diameter. 1796.
A. albocincta (white-banded).* fl., perianth brilliant red, ten to twelve lines long; racemes twenty or more, shortly capitate, 2in. to 2 1/2in. in diameter when expanded; pedicels ascending, six to nine lines long; scape stout, branched, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft.; l. twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, outer ones recurved, lanceolate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, glaucous, obscurely lined and spotted; middle three to four lines thick; margin red or white tinted. Stems in old specimens, 1ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. to 4in. in diameter. SYNS. A. Hanburyana, A. paniculata, and A. striata. A. arborescens (tree-like).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, about 1ft; pedicels ascending, twelve to fifteen lines long; peduncles strong, 1 1/2ft., simple or branched. l. (rosette 3ft. to 4ft. in diameter) dense, aggregate, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft.; base 2in. broad, thence to apex attenuated, acuminated, green, rather glaucous, without spots or lines; middle three to four lines long; base five to six lines thick; upper surface beyond the base channelled; marginal prickles close, one and a half to two lines long, horny. Stem simple, finally 10ft. to 12ft. long, 2in. to 3in. in diameter. 1700.
A. a. frutescens (shrubby). Dwarfer. l. often loose, and shorter, intensely glaucous; peduncle simple. Stem slender, sometimes racemosed. A. aristata (awned). fl., perianth red, fourteen to sixteen lines long; raceme simple, loose, 4in. to 6in. long, and about 4in. broad; pedicels sub-patent, thirteen to eighteen lines long; scape simple, 1ft. high. l. about fifty in a dense rosette, ascending, lanceolate, 3in. to 4in. long, six to eight lines broad, without spots or lines; face flat, sparingly tubercled; middle one and a half lines thick; back copiously tubercled; apex bearded with a pellucid awn; marginal teeth diffuse, white, half line long. 1824. A. Bainesii (Baines').* fl., perianth fifteen to sixteen lines long, yellowish red; raceme simple, dense, oblong, 3 1/2in. to 4in. in diameter when expanded; pedicels thick, two to three lines long; peduncles upright, strong, eight to nine lines in diameter. l. closely packed at the top of the branch, ensiform, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 2in. to 3in. in diameter, green, spotted, deeply channelled, recurved; middle two to three lines thick; marginal prickles pale, rather distant, one to one and a half lines long. Arborescent, branched. h. 40ft. to 60ft.; trunk 4ft. to 5ft. in diameter. SYNS. A. Barberae, A. Zeyheri. A. barbadensis (Barbadoes). Synonymous with A. vera. A. Barberae (Barber's). Synonymous with A. Bainesii. A. brevifolia (short-leaved).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in., long, 2 1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; pedicels upright, six to twelve lines long; peduncles simple, hardly 1ft. long. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 3in. to 4in. long, and 1in. broad at the base, glaucous, without spots or lines; face unarmed, below swollen or flat; middle three to four lines thick; back convex, sparingly tubercled; marginal teeth, whitish, one to one and a half lines long. Stem short, simple. SYN. A. prolifera.
A. b. depressa (depressed). fl. somewhat larger; peduncles 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long. l. 6in. long; bottom 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad; face sometimes sparingly tubercled.
A. caesia (bluish-grey).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to sixteen lines long; racemes dense, nearly 1ft. long, 2in. to 3in. in diameter; pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; scape simple, 6in. l. rather dense, lanceolate acuminate, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft.; bottom 2in. to 3in. broad, intensely glaucous, without spot or lines, slightly channelled upwards; middle 3in. to 4in. thick; marginal prickles red, one to one and a half lines long. Stem simple, finally, in old specimens, 12ft. to 14ft. 1815.
A. Candollei (De Candolle's). A mere form of A. humilis. A. chinensis (Chinese). fl., perianth yellow, 1in. long; raceme loose, simple, 6in. to 8in. long, and 2in. broad; pedicels one and a half to two lines long; peduncle simple, 6in. to 12in. l. fifteen to twenty in a dense rosette, ensiform, 9in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. broad at the bottom, pale green, not lined; base nearly flat; middle three to four lines thick; upper surface channelled; marginal prickles distant, pale, one to one and a half lines long. Stem short, simple. China, 1817.
A. ciliata (ciliated).* fl., perianth brilliant red, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme simple, loose, 2in. to 4in. long; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles slender, simple. l. linear, widely spreading, amplexicaul, green, 4in. to 6in. long; base six to nine lines broad, slowly narrowing towards the apex, without spots or lines; middle one line thick; marginal teeth minute, white. Stems long, sarmentose; branches three to four lines in diameter; internodes six to twelve lines long, obscurely striated with green. 1826.
A. Commelyni (Commelin's). A mere form of A. mitraeformis. A. consobrina (related). fl., perianth yellowish red, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme rather loose, oblong, cylindrical, 3in. to 4in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; scape 1 1/2ft., slender, branched. l. loosely disposed, ensiform, 6in. to 8in. long, and 1in. broad, green, spotted white; face channelled; middle three lines thick; marginal prickles minute, brownish; rosette 10in. to 12in. (sometimes 2ft.) in diameter; upper leaves ascending; central ones spreading half open; lower ones deflexed. Stem 2ft., simple, 1in. in diameter. South Africa, 1845. A. Cooperi (Cooper's).* fl., perianth fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme close, 3in. to 6in. long, and 3in. to 4in. in diameter; lower pedicels 1in. to 2in. long; scape simple, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. l. when mature, 8in. to 10in. long, distichous, falcate, lined; outer ones 1 1/2ft. to 2ft., above the base six to eight line. broad, greenish, deeply channelled, sparingly spotted; middle one and a half to two lines thick; marginal teeth minute, close, white. Plant stemless. Natal, 1862. SYN. A. Schmidtiana.
A. dichotoma (two-branched).* Quiver-tree. fl., perianth oblong, ten to twelve lines long; raceme loose, 2in. to 4in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles stout, branched. l. closely packed, at the top of the branch, lanceolate, 8in. to 12in. long; bottom twelve to fifteen lines broad, glaucous, without spots or lines, slightly channelled above the base; middle three to four lines thick, narrow-margined with white; marginal prickles minute, pale. Trunk short, sometimes 3ft. to 4ft. in diameter. h. 20ft. to 30ft. 1781. Arborescent, branched.
A. distans (distant).* fl., perianth pale red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme densely capitate, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; lower pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; peduncles 1 1/2ft. usually simple. l. ascending, loosely disposed, ovate-lanceolate, 3in. to 5in. long, and 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, green, slightly glaucous, without spots and lines; face concave; middle three to four lines thick; back sparingly tubercled; marginal prickles close, white, horny, one to one and a half lines long. Stem short, simple, 1in. in diameter; internodes pale, striated green. 1732.
A. glauca (milky-green).* fl., perianth pale red, fifteen to sixteen lines long; peduncles simple, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 3 1/2in. to 4in. in diameter; pedicels 1in. to 1 1/2in. long. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. to 8in. long; at the base 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, slowly narrowing towards the apex, in tensely glaucous, spotless, obscurely lined; middle three to four lines thick; face above the base slightly concave; back tubercled at apex; marginal teeth spreading, brownish, one to one and a half lines long. Stem simple, at length, about 1ft., 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1731.
A. gracilis (graceful). fl., perianth yellow, straight, fourteen to sixteen lines long; raceme densely packed, simple, 2in. to 3in.; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncle simple, 6in. to 9in. long, two-edged at the base. l. loosely disposed, spreading, 6in. to 10in. long; base ten to twelve lines broad, ensiform, acuminated, glaucous, spotless and without lines; face slightly channelled; back rounded; marginal prickles close, minute. Stem leafy, simple. 1822.
A. Greenii (Green's).* fl., perianth pale red, fourteen to fifteen lines long; raceme oblong, 4in. to 8in. long, and 3in. in diameter; lower pedicels five to six lines long; scape 2ft. long l. in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 15in. to 18in. long; bottom 2 1/2in. to 3in. broad, slowly narrowing from middle to the apex; middle three to four lines thick; face flat, shining green, obscurely lined and spotted white; marginal prickles spreading, one and a half to two lines long, horny. Stem short, simple, 1 1/2in. in diameter. South Africa, 1875.
A. Hanburyana (Hanbury's). Synonymous with A. albocincta. A. humilis (humble).* fl., perianth brilliant red, eighteen lines long; raceme loose, simple, 6in. long, and 2in. to 2 1/2in. in diameter; pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncles about 1ft. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, ascending, lanceolate, acuminate, 3in. to 4in. long, six to eight lines broad, glaucous green, obscurely lined; face slightly concave above, sparingly tubercled; middle three lines thick; back convex; marginal prickles pale, one line long. Plant stemless. 1731.
A. h. acuminata (taper-pointed). l. ovate-lanceolate, 4in. to 5in. long, fifteen to eighteen lines broad; marginal prickles pale, two to two and a half lines long. A. incurva, A. suberecta, and A. subtuberculata, of Haworth; A. Candollei, and A. macilenta, of Baker, are mere forms of the foregoing species.
A. incurva (incurved). A mere form of A. humilis.
A. latifolia (broad-leaved).* fl., perianth brilliant golden scarlet, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, terminal, 4in. to 5in. long and wide; lower pedicels 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; peduncle robust, 2ft., often branched. l. twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, ovate-lanceolate, 6in. long, 2 1/2in. to 3 1/2in. broad at bottom, slowly narrowing from below the middle upwards, green, not lined, but copiously spotted white; middle three to four lines thick; marginal prickles one and a half to two lines long, horny, brownish. Stem at length, 1ft. to 2ft., 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter, simple. 1795.
A. lineata (line-marked).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in.; pedicels hardly perpendicular, fifteen to eighteen lines long; scape simple, 1ft. l. in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. long, 2in. broad at base, narrowing slowly thence to the apex, pale green, spotless, lined; middle three lines thick, channelled upwards on both sides, unarmed; marginal teeth numerous, red, one and a half to two lines long. Stem finally 6in. to 1ft. high, simple, 2in.in. diameter. 1789.
A. macilenta (thin). A mere form of A. humilis.
A. macracantha (long-spined). fl. unknown. l. fifteen to twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 15in. to 20in. long, and 3in. to 4in. broad at the bottom, slightly narrowed from middle to apex; middle four lines thick; face flat, green, obscurely lined, spotted; marginal prickles horny, three to four lines long. Stem simple, 2ft. to 3ft., 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. South Africa, 1862.
A. macrocarpa (large-fruited).* fl., perianth club-shaped, brilliant red, fifteen to sixteen lines long; raceme loose, terminal, 6in. long, and 2 1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; lower pedicels 1/2in. long; peduncles 2ft. l. twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, ovatelanceolate, less than 1ft. long; bottom 3in. to 4in. broad; top channelled; middle three to four lines thick, green, copiously spotted; marginal prickles spreading, half line long. Stem short, simple. Abyssinia, 1870.
A. maculata (spotted). Synonymous with A. abyssinica. A. margaritifera (pearl-bearing). See Haworthia margaritifera. A. mitraeformis (mitre-shaped).* fl., perianth brilliant red, eighteen to twenty-one lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, 4in. to 6in. long, and nearly as much in diameter; pedicels ascending; lower ones fifteen to eighteen lines long; peduncles strong, 1 1/2ft., sometimes branched. l. rather loosely disposed, ascending, lanceolate, about 1ft. long, 2in. to 3in. broad; green, slightly glaucous, without spots or lines; face concave; middle three to four lines thick; back convex, sparingly tubercled; apex horny, pungent; marginal prickles rather close, pale, one to one and a half lines long. Stem finally 3ft. to 4ft., simple, 1in. to 2in. in diameter.
A. m. flavispina (yellow-spined). Differs from the type in having narrower and more lanceolate leaves, and yellow spines. A. Commelyni, A. spinulosa, A. pachyphylla, and A. xanthacantha, are also forms of this species. A. myriacantha (many-spined). fl., perianth pale red, eight to nine lines long; racemes densely capitate, 2in. in diameter; pedicels four to six lines long; peduncles slender, simple, 1ft. l. ten to twelve, falcate, linear, 5in. to 6in. long, four to five lines broad, green, glaucous; face deeply channelled; back convex, spotted white; marginal teeth numerous, white. Plant stemless. 1823.
A. nobilis (noble).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in. or more long, 4in. broad; lower pedicels 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; peduncles simple, 1 1/2ft. l. rather loosely disposed, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, 2 1/4in. to 4in. broad; face green, without spots or lines, concave above the base; middle three to four lines thick; apex rather pungent; back prickly upwards; marginal prickles rather close, one and a half to two lines long, horny. Stem simple, at length 3ft. to 4ft. high, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1800.
A. pachyphylla (thick-leaved). A mere form of A. mitraeformis. A. paniculata (panicled). Synonymous with A. albocincta. A. Perryi (Perry's).* fl., perianth greenish, nine to ten lines long; raceme dense, 3in. to 4in. long; pedicels three to four lines long; inflorescence 1 1/2ft. long, commonly two-headed. l. in a rosette, lanceolate, 7in. to 8in. long, and 2 1/2in. broad, from below the middle to the apex narrowed, pale glaucous green, spotless, obscurely lined, channelled above the base; middle three to four lines thick; marginal teeth close, horny, one line long. Stem simple, 1in. in diameter. Socotra, 1879.
A. prolifera (proliferous). Synonymous with A. brevifolia. A. purpurascens (purplish). fl., perianth reddish, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme dense, 6in. to 9in. long, and about 3in. in diameter; pedicels nine to twelve lines long; scape strong, simple, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. l. forty to fifty in a dense rosette, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, ensiform, 2in. broad at the base, slowly narrowed towards the apex, green; base flat; middle three lines thick, slightly channelled upwards, sometimes spotted; marginal prickles small, white. Stem 2ft. to 3ft., sometimes forked. 1789. A. rhodocincta (red-margined), of gardens, is probably a form of A. albocincta.
A. saponaria (soapy).* fl., perianth brilliant red, eighteen to twenty-one lines long; raceme dense, corymbose, 3in. to 4in. long and wide; lower pedicels 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; scape 1ft. to 2ft. simple, or sparingly branched. l. twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, eighteen to twenty-four lines broad, narrowed from below the middle upwards; middle three to four lines broad; face flat at bottom; back swollen, green, copiously spotted, distinctly lined; marginal prickles adjoining, horny, one and a half to two lines long. Stem short, simple, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1727.
A. Schimperi (Schimper's).* fl., perianth bright red, eighteen to twenty-one lines long; racemes densely corymbose, 4in. in diameter; pedicels twelve to fifteen lines long; scape strong, 3ft. long, strongly branched above. l. twenty in a dense rosette, oblonglanceolate, about 1ft. long, 4in. broad, glaucous green, lined, sometimes spotted, three to four lines thick at middle, above which they are channelled; teeth minute, spreading. Stem short, simple. Abyssinia, 1876.
A. Schmidtiana (Schmidt's). Synonymous with A. Cooperi. A. serra (saw). fl., perianth brilliant red, eighteen lines long; raceme simple, dense, 6in. long or more, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; pedicels six to twelve lines long; scape simple, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 3in. to 5in. long, twelve to eighteen lines broad below, without spots and lines; base swollen, concave towards the apex; middle three to four lines thick, sparingly tubercled; marginal prickles close, one to one and a half lines long. Plant shortly stemmed. 1818. A. serratula (finely-toothed).* fl., perianth red, fifteen to eighteen lines long; raceme rather dense, 6in. long; pedicels six to nine lines long; peduncles simple, about 1ft. l. twelve to twenty in a dense rosette, lanceolate, 6in. to 9in. long; bottom 1 1/2in. to 2 1/4in. broad, pale green; face below the top flat or slightly concave, obscurely lined, spotted; margin minutely denticulated. Stem simple, finally 1ft. to 2ft. high, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter. 1789.
A. spinulosa (spiny). A mere form of A. mitraeformis. A. striata (striated). Synonymous with A. albocincta. A. striatula (slightly striped).* fl., perianth yellow, twelve to fifteen lines long; raceme oblong, rather dense, simple, 3in. to 6in. long, and 2in. in diameter; pedicels short; peduncles simple, nearly 1ft. l. linear, spreading, green, 6in. to 9in. long; base not dilated, six to eight lines broad, above the base upwards narrowed, slightly channelled; middle one line thick; marginal prickles deltoid. Stem long, sarmentose; floral branches three to six lines in diameter; internodes 6in. to 12in. long. 1823. A. suberecta (slightly erect). A mere form of A. humilis. A. subtuberculata (slightly knobbed). A mere form of A. humilis. A. succotrina (Socotrine).* fl., perianth reddish, fifteen lines long; raceme dense, about 1ft. long, 2 1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; lower pedicels nine to twelve lines long; peduncles simple, 1 1/2ft. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, ensiform, acuminate, falcate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long; base 2in.; middle 1in. broad, green, slightly glaucous, sometimes spotted, slightly channelled upwards; marginal prickles pale, one line long. Stem 3ft. to 5ft., often forked. Isle of Socotra. 1731.
A. tenuior (slenderer). fl., perianth pale yellow, five to six lines long; racemes rather loose, simple, oblong, nearly 1ft. 2in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; peduncles slender, simple, 4in. to 8in. l. loose, linear, 5in. to 8in. long, slowly narrowing from middle towards apex, green, spotless, slightly channelled; middle one line thick; marginal prickles minute, pale. Stem long, sarmentose. 1821.
A. tricolor (three-coloured).* fl., perianth coral red, fleshy; raceme loose, oblong, 3in. to 4in. long, and 2in. broad; pedicels ascending, three to four lines long; scape 1 1/2ft. long, glaucous purple; panicle deltoid. l. twelve to sixteen in a close rosette, lanceolate, 5in. to 6in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad at bottom, slowly narrowing from below the middle to apex; middle five to six lines thick; back rounded; face slightly swollen, copiously spotted, not lined; marginal prickles close, spreading, about one line long. Stem short, simple. South Africa, 1875.
A. variegata (variegated).* fl., perianth reddish, fifteen to sixteen lines long; raceme simple, loose, 3in. to 4in. long and about 3in. in diameter; pedicels three to four lines long; scape simple, tapering, 6in. to 8in. l. close, erecto-patent, lanceolate, 4in. to 5in. long, 1in. broad; face concave; back keeled, bright green, copiously spotted grey on both sides; margin whitish, denticulated. 1790. This is the variegated Aloe so frequently seen in windows.
A. vera (true).* fl., perianth yellow, cylindrical, 3/4in. to 1in. long; raceme dense, 6in. to 12in. long; scape strong, 2ft. to 3ft. long, simple or branched. l. ensiform, dense, aggregate, 2in. to 4in. broad, narrowing from the base to apex, pale green; middle about 1/2in. thick; face channelled above the base; marginal prickles subdistant, deltoid, horny. Stem rarely more than 1ft. or 2ft. 1596. SYNS. A. barbadensis, A. vulgaris. A. vulgaris (common). Synonymous with A. vera.
A. xanthacantha (yellow-spined). A mere form of A. mitraeformis. A. Zeyheri (Zeyher's). A garden synonym of A. Bainesii.