On daily basis, I have observed many of us share pictures of aloes from their collection and saying its aloe vera. There is a misconception in our mind is that “All Aloes are AloeVera” but let me tell you the truth, Its not correct. All aloes are not aloe vera. There are approx 480 species of aloes available in all over the world which produces very beautiful flower stalk also and aloe vera is one of them. 

Aloe vera is a succulent plant from the genus of Aloe and its native to  Arabian Peninsula. Which is grown in every corner of the world for many years.It grows and cultivated for agricultural and medicinal purposes. We all know its medicinal benefits so it is easily found in every house. Aloe vera is stemless succulent or you can say semi stem flowering succulent plant. 

succulent plant. 

If we categorize on the basis of its shape and look, there are 3 type of aloes available 

1. Stemless Aloes
2. Semi Stem Aloes
3. Tree Type Aloes

Stemless Aloes

• Aloe Brevifolia – Aloe brevifolia is a short-leaved aloe, It is a species of flowering succulent plant from the family of Asphodelaceae. It is a tiny and compact in nature and blue-green evergreen succulent perennial, that is native to the Western Cape, South Africa.

• Aloe nobilis –Aloe nobilis have abundant yellow spikes and rose-tipped leaves. Its medium-sized rosettes can grow up to 10 inches long. Its produces a reddish-orange flower stalk. 

• Aloe cameronii – Aloe cameronii which also called as red aloe, In sun light its leafs transformed into vibrant red color. Aloe cameronii is named on honor of Kenneth Cameron, who sent it from South Africa to the Royal Botanic Garden. 

Semi Stem Aloes

In this category, I’m placing all those aloes which don’t have any kind of stem and grow in form of rosette and dwarf in nature. 

• Aloe broomii – Aloe broomii named on the well-known anthropologist Mr. Robert Broom. Its a collector item and every aloe collector wants be add this in their collection. Aloe broomii known as the mountain aloe or snake aloe. It is a short-stemmed and robust aloe that takes maximum height of 1.5 m, including the inflorescence.

• Aloe ferox, commonly known as bitter aloe, It is a species of flowering succulent plant from the family Asphodelaceae. This woody aloe comes from southern Africa zone. Many peoples also called cape aloe

• Aloe marlothii – Aloe marlothii is a large, single-stemmed Southern African aloe of rocky places and open flat country, occasionally growing up to 6m tall. Which have spines on back side of the leaves. It a collector’s item to add into the collection. 

Tree Aloes

There are few aloe species which takes become tree in its natural habitat, here im taking example of my favorite tree aloes example.

• Aloe dichotoma  – Aloe dichotoma is a tall, branching species of succulent plant, native to Southern Africa specifically in the Northern Cape region of South Africa, and parts of Southern Namibia. It also called as Quiver Tree. Its very slow-growing aloe which takes many years to become a tree in natural habitat. Aloe dichotoma increases its height by 10-20 cm per year if you provide its favorable conditions. It may reach a height of 7 meters with up to 1 m of diameter at ground level.

• Aloe ramosissima – Its common name is maiden’s quiver tree. Its a version of dichotoma which have multiple branches where dichotoma have can have two branches. Aloe ramosissima is a shrubby species from South Africa and Namibia. 

How to identify aloe vera plant?

Aloe Barbadensis is an Aloe Vera which is a commonly available house plant in our house which we are using in different ways. The leaves are also green or grey-green in color and There is yellow liquid/sap/gel in aloe vera leaf which is poisonous so be careful while using it. You can easily identify the actual aloe vera plant by its leaves and show in the below example.

If you found some white color spots on the leaves mean it’s not an edible leaf. 

In this article, i have taken examples of all those aloes which I’m currently growing successfully and you can get easily in India.

Disclaimer : All images are taken from google from re fence only