aloe vera

• 
• Availability: cv
• miracle
• salads and stew
• staple
• wiki_aloe_vera
• type: succulent herbaceous perennial
  • this defines the plant as a fleshy, non-woody, evergreen species that persists for many seasons, storing water in its thick leaves.
  • properties
    • root: fibrous and shallow, adapted for rapid water uptake during brief rainfall events. roots spread close to the surface, allowing the plant to thrive in arid environments.
      • contains trace minerals and enzymes that support basic root metabolism and cellular function.
    • stem: reduced or almost absent; leaves emerge directly from a very short basal stem (crown). the stem is non-woody and mostly functions as a support base.
      • composed primarily of cellulose and small amounts of [[resin|resin compounds that may provide antimicrobial protection.
    • leaf: thick, succulent, and lanceolate with serrated margins; stores large amounts of gel within the inner tissue. the outer surface is waxy to prevent water loss.
      • the inner gel contains acemannan, polysaccharides, salicylic acid, vitamins (a, c, e, b1, b2, b6, b12), lignin, amino acids, minerals (zinc, calcium, magnesium), and enzymes (amylase, catalase, lipase).
      • the latex layer beneath the skin contains aloin, aloe-emodin, and barbaloin, which are biologically active and known for strong laxative effects.
    • flower: grows on a tall raceme; tubular, yellow or orange, and pollinated by insects and birds. blooms once the plant matures.
      • contains flavonoids, nectar (rich in sugars), and trace amounts of volatile essential oils.
    • fruit: a small dry capsule that splits open when mature, releasing flat, black seeds.
      • seeds contain small amounts of proteins and trace oils but are rarely used medicinally or nutritionally.
    • bark: absent; aloe vera is herbaceous and non-woody.
    • timber: not applicable; lacks woody tissue.
  • Environment: arid to semi-arid climates with full sun and sandy, well-drained soil
    • Climate: warm, dry, with minimal humidity and infrequent rain
      • Sun: 600–1000
      • No Sun Days: 7–10
      • Water: 250–500
      • No Water Days: 30–45
      • Humidity: 30–50
      • Fog Resistance: 5–7
      • Max Temp: 45
      • Optimal Temp: 25–35
      • Min Temp: 2–5
      • Wind Damage: hot-dry, cold-dry, salt-laden
    • Soil: sandy to rocky, fast-draining soils with low fertility
      • Soil Ph: 6.0–7.0
      • Soil Type: sandy, loamy, volcanic
    • Spacing: 50–80 cm between plants in rows, good air circulation essential
      • Good Neighbors: opuntia, rosmarinus, lavandula, cymbopogon
      • Bad Neighbors: mentha, basil, colocasia
      • Max Height: 60 cm
      • Max Spread: 80 cm
  • lifecycle
    • Longevity: 20 years
    • Germination: 14–30 days; slow and irregular; requires warmth and moisture
    • Seedling: slow-growing; sensitive to overwatering and cold
    • Mature: thick leaves form in 12–18 months; flowers appear after 2–3 years
    • Death: declines from frost, rot, or aging core collapse
  • features: drought-tolerant, fire-resistant, succulent, medicinal, attract pollinators (when flowering)
  • layer: ground covers, herbaceous, understory (dry tropics)
  • products: leaf gel, leaf latex, tea, juice, skin salve, cosmetic base, fire starter, mulch, potted ornamental
  • chemical compounds

    compound	plant part	% amount	description
    trace minerals	root	<0.01%	support nutrient absorption and metabolic activity
    trace enzymes	root	<0.05%	assist in root cell functions and growth
    cellulose	stem	30–40% (dry wt)	provides structural integrity to leaf base
    resinous exudate	stem	~0.1%	minor antimicrobial protection
    acemannan	leaf (inner gel)	5–10%	enhances immunity, aids wound healing, anti-inflammatory
    polysaccharides	leaf (inner gel)	10–15%	moisturizing, gut health, immune modulator
    vitamins a, c, e	leaf (inner gel)	0.01–0.05%	antioxidants, tissue repair, skin protection
    vitamins b1, b2, b6, b12	leaf (inner gel)	<0.01%	energy metabolism, nervous system support
    salicylic acid	leaf (inner gel)	<1%	anti-inflammatory, [[analgesic effects
    lignin	leaf (inner gel)	1–2%	aids deep penetration of active compounds
    enzymes (amylase, lipase, catalase)	leaf (inner gel)	<0.5%	aid digestion, reduce inflammation
    amino acids (20 types)	leaf (inner gel)	1–2%	protein synthesis, cellular repair
    zinc, calcium, magnesium	leaf (inner gel)	0.1–0.2%	mineral support, enzymatic co-factors
    aloin	leaf (latex)	10–30%	strong laxative, antimicrobial
    [[aloe	aloe-emodin]]	leaf (latex)	2–5%
    barbaloin	leaf (latex)	~1–2%	purgative, antimicrobial
    flavonoids	flower	0.5–1%	antioxidant, supports vascular health and immune health
    essential oils (trace)	flower	<0.1%	aromatic, mild antimicrobial
    nectar (sugars)	flower	1–3%	attract pollinators, carbohydrate source
    proteins	fruit/seeds	2–5%	seed nutrition, metabolic energy storage
    trace oils	fruit/seeds	<0.5%	seed preservation, possible skincare use

  • operations
    • propagate plants: propagated by division of offsets (pups); seeds germinate slowly and unreliably
    • maintenance: minimal care; remove dead leaves, divide clumps every 3–4 years; protect from frost and overwatering
    • harvest:
      • leaf gel: harvest outer mature leaves every 2–3 months
      • latex: extract from leaf base for medicinal use in small doses
      • flowers: harvested when blooming for tea or decoration
      • leaves: can be dried, juiced, or infused in oil or alcohol