Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Asphodelaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Stemless or short-stemmed herb with horizontally creeping rhizomes frequently proliferating at the nodes. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, 30-60 x 3.5-8 cm, acuminate at apex, turgid with clear, watery sap, succulent, glaucous-green, the margins with reddish-tipped, spinelike teeth. Scapes to 1 m tall, stout, with a few remote, acute scales; inflorescence a raceme 10-30 cm long; bracts ovate to lanceolate, exceeding the short pedicels. Perianth nearly cylindric, 2.5-3 cm long, 4-7 mm wide, turning from green to yellow, the tips spreading; stamens equaling or slightly exceeding the perianth; style exserted.
Distribution and Ecology - Locally common along roadsides and disturbed areas. East End (A4223). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Virgin Gorda; Vieques; probably native to the Mediterranean region, now naturalized and widespread in Florida, Central America, and the West Indies.
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Discussion
Aloe barbadensis Mill. Gard. Diet., ed. 8. 1768 [16 April].
Aloe vulgaris Lam., Encycl 1: 86. 1783, nom. illegit
Common names: aloes, bitter-aloes, sempervive