A succulent plant that grows extremely well in dry climates, the
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) plant does not have stems, and it
produces thick, grayish-green leaves with pale coloring. The
leaves are covered with small points along the edges. The roots
of the Aloe Vera plant are shallow, while the plant itself is
formed somewhat like a v-shaped vase. The plant can grow
anywhere from several inches in height to several feet,
depending on its growing environment. This perennial plant has
been referred to as Barbados Aloe, Elephant’s Gall, Lily of the
Desert, Curacao Aloe, and Burn Plant. It is a native of much of
the eastern and southern areas of Africa, and it is currently
grown in many other tropical and subtropical locations. More
than five hundred species of the Aloe plant exist. The plant
derives its name from the Arabic word for bitter, alloeh, due to
the fact that the gel-like liquid within the leaves has a bitter
taste to it. Dating back to the times of the ancient Egyptians,
Aloe Vera was known as the