Aloe humilis Haw.   =Aloe perfoliata var. humilis   Liliaceae (Lily Family)   South Africa   Aloe

                                         July Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Tufted; lvs. 20-30, suberect, incurved, triangular-lanceolate, long-acuminate, 4 in. long, 2 in. wide, white-prickly at least on back, white-toothed on margin; infl. 1.5-2 ft. high, simple, racemes 4-6 in. long; pedicels erect; fls. deflexed, 1.5 in. long, red, segms. tipped green, distinct nearly to base; stamens included.

Habitat:  Escape from cultivation.  Blooms in summer months.  (my comments).

Name:  Al-oe, from an old Arabic name.  Hu-milis, low-growing, dwarf.  (Bailey 209, 16).

General:  Rare in the study area, found only in the Santa Ana Heights area, adjacent to the large Opuntia prolifera x littoralis which may have been planted years ago when this area was farmed.   I suspect that both of these plants were near an old Irvine Company farmhouse as there are remains of what was probably an old buck-board nearby.  (my comments).      Two or three days after you burn, break off a fresh piece of aloe and use the plant's natural healing moisture, or squeeze on an over-the-counter aloe cream.  Both have analgesic action that will make your wound feel better.  Do not use aloe if you are using blood thinners or have a medical history of heart problems.  (Tkac, Editor 107).      Aloe is one of the most healing agencies we have among the herbs.  It is used in many cathartics.  Aloe is one of the best to clean out the colon and is an excellent remedy for piles and hemorrhoids.  (Kloss 198).      Aloe species are among southern California's most valuable ornamentals.  Most kinds make outstanding container plants.  Some species are in bloom every month.  (Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book, 1984. 175).      Species perhaps 200 in the Old World, largely in trop. and S. Africa.  (Bailey 209). Comparison of the DNA sequences for various genes, usually those found in the chloroplast of the plant cell has led biologists to propose many changes in the plant families as they are now known.  It is proposed to move the genus Aloe from Liliaceae to Asphodelaceae  (Kelch, Dean G. “Consider the Lilies” FREMONTIA, A Journal of the California Native Plant Society Vol. 30 No. 2 April 2002 pp. 23-29).

Text Ref:  Bailey 210.

Photo Ref:  July-Oct 91 # 2,3,4,5.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  July 1991.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 420.

No plant specimen.

Last edit 5/27/04.  

                                                July Photo                                                                                July Photo