Aloe Vera (芦荟) - Non-edible
Succulent herb typically growing up to 0.3-0.6 m tall, but sometimes reaching 1.2 m tall.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
Currently, according to botanists, all these names refer to the same plant:
- Aloe vera
- Aloe barbadensis
- Aloe vera barbadensis Miller
- Aloe vera var. barbadensis
- Aloe vera var. chinensis
COMMON NAME
Barbados Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Burn Plant, Aloe, 芦荟
(Edible Aloe vera is referred to as Aloe vera barbadensis, Aloe barbadensis or Aloe vera barbadensis Miller. Non-edible Aloe vera is referred to as Aloe vera var. chinensis.)
CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference Full Sun Water Preference Little Water Propagation Method Sucker USES
FAQs
How to Identify Edible Aloe Vera?
Edible: Aloe vera barbadensis Miller
- Leaves: thick, wide, fleshy, upright, green or gray-green in colour. Young leaves are ‘spotted’ which will vanish as the plant matures.
- Flowers: yellow
Inedible: Aloe vera var. chinensis
- Leaves: less thick, narrow spotted, blue-green in colour. The spotted leaves will not change as they mature.
- Flowers: orange flowers.
- (This is the Aloe vera variety that is commonly sold for treating burns
Source: https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2019/04/16/identifying-and-growing-edible-aloe-vera
Disclaimer
The information in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.