Aloe Vera

Description:

The aloe vera plant that I found was in my backyard, beside a plumeria tree. The height of the plant from the soil to the point of it’s tallest leaf was about 6 inches. Its thick leaves were green in color, serrated, and had small white teeth or thorns on the edges. There were white spots on both the top and bottom sides of the leaves. I did not find any flowers, but with further research, found that it does produce flowers. These flowers grow during the summer, grow on a spike, and have a yellow tubular corolla. The aloe vera is of the succulent family, and spreads or reproduces by offsets.

Habitat:

Kaimukī Avenue, Hawaiʻi.

Notes:

The aloe is introduced to Hawaiʻi from the warm, dry climates of Africa. The aloe is now used all over the world as a natural treatment for burns, bruises, dry skin and consumed as a “healthy drink” that is supposed to help people lose weight and have better digestion.