Plant in Spotlight - Aloe

Anyone who beaches it up during the summer is familiar with this plant. Aloe (aloe vera is the most common species) is a succulent native to Africa; and in the summer, it can be your best friend.

Have you ever seen aloe bloom? This is the first stage. It forms a large stalk from the center with the buds coming out from several small stalks on the side. 

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Kingdom:                Plantae

clade:            Angiosperms

clade:                   Monocots

Order:              Asparagales

Family:    Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Asphodeloideae

Genus:                            Aloe

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Aloe very blossoms are loved by many pollinating insects, but also the beautiful hummingbird, 

Photography by Brandon McLeod

The blooms!

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Photography by Brandon McLeod

Aloe has been used for healing burns and cuts for thousands of years. However, did you know that it's also a healthy drink?

from asianfoodgrocer.com

Be careful though! You don't want to rip off an aloe leaf and try to eat it. Raw aloe contains aloin which is a natural laxative! Be sure only to consume processed aloe, which does not contain aloin!