Aloe
Vera, also known as the ‘plant of immortality’ by the ancient Egyptians, was
used for its healing properties since time immemorial. The
scientific epithet ‘vera’ means true and genuine. Aloe Vera plants are
commonly found in the African regions and belong to the family of Liliaceae,
known for its succulent or fleshy leaves. Aloe
vera is a stemless or very
short-stemmed succulent plant growing to
60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick
and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on
their upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small
white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm
(35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm
(0.8–1.2 in) long. Like other Aloe species, Aloe
vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, asymbiosis that allows the
plant better access to mineral nutrients in soil. Aloe Vera leaf looks unique;
lanceolate, it doesn’t have any stems and the edges of leaves have tiny spikes.