What causes thunderstorms? Thunderstorms form when an air mass becomes so unstable that it overturns (convects) violently. Unstable means that the air in the lowest layers is unusually warm and humid, or that the upper layers are unusually cool, or oftentimes, both.
Aloe is the name of a plant genus that contains more than 300 species. Most of the aloe species are native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. In addition to the familiar cactus-like plant called aloe vera that many people use to soothe sunburns and other skin ailments, this genus has plants that range from grassy succulents to large trees.
There are more than 250 species of aloes found throughout the world. All are semi-tropical succulent plants, and most are native to Africa. The true aloe vera plant, as most people know it, refers to the Aloe barbadensis Miller. It is best recognized for its medicinal purposes. When mature, the plant stands 2 to 3 feet tall, with long leaves measuring 3 inches across at the base. As a houseplant, aloe vera requires little care.