Division -
Magnoliophyta
Order - Asparagales
Family
- Asplodelaceae
Genius - Aloe
Species - barbadensis
In Nigeria, the names of Aloe
barbadensis under the three major languages are thus:
Ibo - Ebube agu
Yoruba - Alon –Erin
Hausa- Tinya
Other names of Aloe barbadensis in
other countries includes
Chinese- Lu-Hui
Italian- Aloe
Latin - Aloe Vera
French - Aloe
Malasia - Jadam
Spanish- Sa “Villa” (Collins et al,
2003)
Aloe barbadensis grown in fields reaches a height of
60 to 90cm. It is found in almost every part of the world with a warm tropical
climate and cannot survive freezing temperatures (Onuegbu, 2000). Its plump
leaves of 40 to 50cm in length and 6 to 10cm wide at the base have small thorns
on both edges. The rind or protective layers fitters air and water under this
membrane there is a cellulose dermis covering crystal of calcium oxalate and
the pericyclic cells of yellow- reddish sp, which have laxative properties and
are called the “blood of aloe” (Onuegbu, 2000).
Also, enclosed in this triple
vegetable protection is the colorless parenchyma which is the much sought after
pulp (gel and juice) of the plant. The quality of this pulp depends a great
deal upon the conditions under which it is cultivated such as the types of
soil, the climate and the care (Schweizer, 1990).