The Aloe vera is a succulent plant life aboriginal to the dry , warm climates of northerly Africa . While it resemble a cactus , it ’s really a extremity of the lily syndicate and related to the onion . Though the strange shape of its leaves may make it look strange , most of its parts are no different than those of other plants .
Roots
The Aloe ’s roots are shallow and grow below the surface of the soil . They are worm - corresponding and stringy , overspread out rather than rooting deep . Occasionally , pocket-sized young Aloe plant offshoots will start out to emerge from the roots . These offshoot , also screw as " pups , " can be divided from the female parent plant life and replant for generation .
Stem
The Aloe stem is extremely short . It is so poor that it can look as though the leaves are originate right out of the ground , or , when you are transplanting an Aloe , it seems the leaves are produce right out of the etymon in smaller plants . As the Aloe grows grandiloquent and bourgeon more leaves , the stalk mature thick and more seeming . remove parting at the pedestal of the industrial plant will reveal some of the stem , though in a healthy , entire plant , the stem can be whole obscured by leaves .
Leaves
The leaf of the Aloe industrial plant grow in a single russet scab word form from the root of the fore . They are duncical and fleshy with spiny ridges , sometimes develop up to two feet in length and 3 or 4 inches wide at the cornerstone . Aloe leave-taking are greenish or gray - viridity in color when healthy . When in pathetic health , leaves may appear brown , thin , dried and shrivel up . If a 2d , minuscule rosette emerges at the cornerstone of the industrial plant , this is not another set of leaves but a pup branch , which is an entirely new plant .
Aloin
When the light-green hide of the leaf is cut , the Aloe will give off a yellow - green sap known as aloin . It is a latex - base substance more often than not considered an irritant to man and toxic to house pets . Avoid getting aloin on your skin when you are manage an Aloe flora . Aloin is also a laxative , occasionally taken internally in a tonic to promote regularity .
Pulp
Beneath the surface of the foliage lie a pulp made up of a clear gel - like substance . Aloe gel has long been herald for its medicinal properties . It is rubbed on the skin to heal irritations such as burning , snack and abrasions , or taken internally in a pop to treat digestive problems .
Stalk and Flower
A shuck will sometimes grow from the nub of the leafage russet scab in the tardy winter or early spring . This stalk can be up to 3 pes tall but rarely grow in Aloe plants raised indoors . The stalk will flower into a cluster of tubular lily-livered flowers , which deem the Aloe seeds . The seed can be planted to propagate the plant .
