# Aloeae

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**Aloeae** is a [tribe](/source/Tribe_(biology)) of [succulent plants](/source/Succulent_plant) in the subfamily [Asphodeloideae](/source/Asphodeloideae) of the family [Asphodelaceae](/source/Asphodelaceae), consisting of the aloes and their close relatives. The [taxon](/source/Taxon) may also be treated as the subfamily **Alooideae** by those botanists who retain the narrower [circumscription](/source/Circumscription_(taxonomy)) of Asphodelaceae adopted prior to the [APG III system](/source/APG_III_system). Typically, plants have [rosettes](/source/Rosette_(botany)) of more or less succulent leaves, with or without a distinct stem. Their flowers are arranged in [racemes](/source/Raceme) and tend to be either small and pale, pollinated by insects, or larger and more brightly coloured, pollinated by birds. As of 2017, 11 [genera](/source/Genus) are recognized, most created since 2010 by splitting off another five genera from *[Aloe](/source/Aloe)* and another two from *[Haworthia](/source/Haworthia)*. Only two genera, *Aloe* and *[Aloidendron](/source/Aloidendron)*, are native outside southern Africa, extending northwards to the [Arabian Peninsula](/source/Arabian_Peninsula). Seven genera are restricted to [South Africa](/source/South_Africa), some with small ranges. Members of the Aloeae are cultivated by succulent plant enthusiasts; *Aloe* species especially are used in temperate climates as ornamental garden plants. Some species are used in traditional medicine. *[Aloe vera](/source/Aloe_vera)* and *[Aloe ferox](/source/Aloe_ferox)* are cultivated for their extracts, whose uses include moisturizers and emollients in cosmetics.

## Description

Aloeae leaves are more or less [succulent](/source/Succulent_plant) and arranged in strongly tufted terminal rosettes (in arborescent species, as in *[Aloidendron barberae](/source/Aloidendron_barberae)*) or in basal [rosettes](/source/Rosette_(botany)), and are organized in distinct ranks. Leaves are succulent and have distinctive white or other uniformly coloured [tubercules](/source/Tubercule). This is hypothesized to be a [derived condition](/source/Synapomorphy), possibly as a mechanical defensive mechanism to make the leaf less palatable, or to prevent heat damage in arid conditions. The cross-section of the leaves is distinctly boat or crescent shaped, which represents a [synapomorphy](/source/Synapomorphy) for all Aloeae [taxa](/source/Taxa).[2]

The [inflorescence](/source/Inflorescence) is compacted into a many-flowered spike, or a simple or branched [raceme](/source/Raceme), and is [apical](/source/Apical_(anatomy)), although it can seem [axillary](/source/Axillary_bud). Stems are [monopodial](/source/Monopodial) (unbranched) until an inflorescence is formed, and then [sympodial](/source/Sympodial) (potentially branched); this prevents the rosette from dying as in *[Agave](/source/Agave)*. Flowers of all taxa within Aloeae are tubular and have some fusion of petal-like [tepals](/source/Tepal), although the amount of fusion varies among genera.[2] Differences in flower structure and colour among genera are considered to represent [pollination syndromes](/source/Pollination_syndrome), particularly shifts between insect and bird pollination, and so are less reliable indicators of relationships among species than was once thought. Thus *[Astroloba corrugata](/source/Astroloba_corrugata)*, like most species of *[Astroloba](/source/Astroloba)*, has small, pale, horizontally held flowers that are insect-pollinated, whereas *[A. rubriflora](/source/Astroloba_rubriflora)* has larger, red, vertically held flowers that are bird-pollinated.[3]

Variation in *Astroloba* flowers associated with different pollinators

Within the subfamily [Asphodeloideae](/source/Asphodeloideae), Aloeae can be diagnosed by their succulent foliage, a basic [chromosome number](/source/Ploidy) of x = 7, and the presence of specific [glycosides](/source/Glycoside) in the leaves and [anthraquinones](/source/Anthraquinones) in the roots.[3]

## Taxonomy

The unity of this group of plants, the "aloes", has long been recognized, although its classification and nomenclature have varied considerably. In 1753, [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) followed authors before him in using a single genus, *Aloe*, for all the "aloes" known to him.[4] The genus was subsequently split several times; for example, *Kumara* was separated out in 1786, *Haworthia* and *Gasteria* in 1809.[3] Regardless of the number of genera, the "aloes" were placed in the family Liliaceae, formally described by [Antoine Laurent de Jussieu](/source/Antoine_Laurent_de_Jussieu) in 1789. The Liliaceae *[sensu lato](/source/Sensu_lato)* grew in scope until it included most of the [lilioid monocots](/source/Lilioid_monocots).[5] Attempts were made to carve out separate families. In 1802, [August Batsch](/source/August_Batsch) placed the "aloes" in the family Aloaceae rather than the Liliaceae. However, his family was rarely adopted by other botanists.[6][7]

The [Dahlgren system](/source/Dahlgren_system) of 1975 onwards was one of the first to produce a classification more in line with current understanding; it placed the "aloes" in the family Asphodelaceae, with the subfamily Alooideae more-or-less corresponding to Batsch's Aloaceae.[6][5] This sense of the Asphodelaceae was supported by the first [APG system](/source/APG_system) of 1998. However, the [Angiosperm Phylogeny Group](/source/Angiosperm_Phylogeny_Group) later adopted a broader [circumscription](/source/Circumscription_(taxonomy)), so that in the [APG IV system](/source/APG_IV_system) of 2016, the Asphodelaceae *sensu stricto* becomes the subfamily Asphodeloideae of the Asphodelaceae *sensu lato*.[8] In this system, the "aloes" form the tribe Aloeae. However, the APG's approach has not been followed by many botanists, who prefer to maintain the older, narrower circumscription of the Asphodelaceae, with the "aloes" forming the subfamily Alooideae.[3]

Alternative classifications of the "aloes" Family: Asphodelaceae sensu APG IV Subfamily: Asphodeloideae Family: Asphodelaceae sensu stricto Tribe: Aloeae A.Rich. Subfamily: Alooideae Link[6] informally "alooids"

### Phylogeny

Four genera, *[Aloe](/source/Aloe)*, *[Haworthia](/source/Haworthia)*, *[Gasteria](/source/Gasteria)* and *[Astroloba](/source/Astroloba)*, were considered "core" members of the tribe, *Aloe* being by far the largest genus. The genera were difficult to characterize based purely on morphological characters. *Aloe* in particular had few if any obvious [distinctive derived characters](/source/Synapomorphy). [Molecular phylogenetic studies](/source/Molecular_phylogenetics), particularly from 2010 onwards, suggested that the tribe should be divided into more tightly defined genera. In 2014, [John Charles Manning](/source/John_Charles_Manning) and coworkers produced a phylogeny based on 11 genera. *Aloe* was divided into six genera, and *Haworthia* into three:[3]

More detailed cladograms show that some species placed in *Haworthiopsis* do not fit into the tidy pattern above. *Haworthia koelmaniorum* falls outside the main *Haworthiopsis* clade in one analysis, but was placed in that genus on the basis of other evidence. *H. attenuata* and *H. venosa*, also placed in *Haworthiopsis*, form a clade that is weakly placed as sister to the combination of the main *Haworthiopsis* clade plus *Gasteria*.[3]

[Gordon Rowley](/source/Gordon_Rowley), who first separated off *Haworthiopsis* from *Haworthia* in 2013, suggested a much broader circumscription of *Tulista* – essentially as the clade marked "TR" in the above cladogram.[9] This was rejected by Manning et al., but has since been defended by Rowley.[10]

### Genera

As of October 2017, the tribe consisted of the following genera.[3] Native distributions are based on the [World Checklist of Selected Plant Families](/source/World_Checklist_of_Selected_Plant_Families); many genera are widely cultivated and introduced elsewhere.[11]

- *[Aloe](/source/Aloe)* L. – Tropical Africa, South Africa, Madagascar, Jordan to the Arabian Peninsula
- *[Aloiampelos](/source/Aloiampelos)* Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. – South Africa
- *[Aloidendron](/source/Aloidendron)* (A. Berger) Klopper & Gideon F.Sm. – south-west Arabian Peninsula, Somalia, Mozambique to South Africa
- *[Aristaloe](/source/Aristaloe)* Boatwr. & J.C.Manning – South Africa
- *[Astroloba](/source/Astroloba)* Uitewaal – South Africa ([Cape Provinces](/source/Cape_Provinces))
- *[Gasteria](/source/Gasteria)* Duval – South Africa
- *[Gonialoe](/source/Gonialoe)* (Baker) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning – Angola, Namibia, South Africa
- *[Haworthia](/source/Haworthia)* Duval – South Africa
- *[Haworthiopsis](/source/Haworthiopsis)* G.D.Rowley – Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa
- *[Kumara](/source/Kumara_(plant))* Medik. – South Africa (south-west Cape Provinces)
- *[Tulista](/source/Tulista)* Raf. – South Africa (Cape Provinces)

Diversity of Aloeae genera

## Distribution and habitat

The largest genus, *Aloe*, with about 400 species, is natively distributed in Africa (including [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar)), and in the [Arabian Peninsula](/source/Arabian_Peninsula). *Aloidendron*, with six or seven species, also has a quite wide native distribution in southern and east Africa extending northwards to the Arabian Peninsula. The remaining genera are native only to [southern Africa](/source/Southern_Africa), some being restricted to a few locations in South Africa. *Kumara*, *Haworthia*, *Astroloba*, *Tulista* and *Haworthiopsis* are found in winter rainfall areas of southern Africa. *Gonialoe* species are found in arid regions of South Africa and Namibia.[12] Many species are cultivated as ornamental plants, and *Aloe* species in particular have become widely naturalized.[13]

## Uses

Many species are cultivated by succulent plant enthusiasts; *Aloe* species in particular are used in temperate climates as ornamental garden plants.[14] *[Aloe vera](/source/Aloe_vera)* and *[Aloe ferox](/source/Aloe_ferox)* are used in traditional medicine and cosmetics for their moisturizing and emollient effects.[15][14] Industries based on these two species were reported to be worth "millions of dollars per year" in South Africa alone.[14] Injured leaves of many species of *Aloe* exude a gel that contains [aloin](/source/Aloin) (also known as barbaloin). Aloin has been used as a [laxative](/source/Laxative),[16][17] and also to add a bitter taste to foods.[18] Some species of *Haworthia* and *Gasteria* are also used in traditional medicine.[14]

## References

1. Reveal, James L. (2011), ["Indices Nominum Supragenericorum Plantarum Vascularium – A"](http://www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/fam/allspgfileA.html), retrieved 2017-10-19

1. Smith, G.F. & Van Wyk, B.E. (1991), "Generic Relationships in the Alooideae (Asphodelaceae)", *Taxon*. **40** (4): 557–581, [Bibcode:1991Taxon..40..557S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1991Taxon..40..557S). [doi:10.2307/1222765](https://doi.org/10.2307/1222765). [JSTOR 1222765](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1222765)

1. Manning, John; Boatwright, James S.; Daru, Barnabas H.; Maurin, Olivier; & Bank, Michelle van der (2014), ["A Molecular Phylogeny and Generic Classification of Asphodelaceae Subfamily Alooideae: A Final Resolution of the Prickly Issue of Polyphyly in the Alooids?"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256563808), *Systematic Botany*. **39** (1): 55–74, [Bibcode:2014SysBo..39...55M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014SysBo..39...55M). [doi:10.1600/036364414X678044](https://doi.org/10.1600/036364414X678044). [S2CID 86714657](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:86714657), retrieved 2017-10-22

1. Gildenhuys, Sean D. & Klopper, Ronell R. (2016), ["A synoptic review and new infrageneric classification for the genus Haworthiopsis (Xanthorrhoeaceae: Asphodeloideae)"](https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/57046/Gildenhuys_Synoptic_2016.pdf), *Phytotaxa*. **265** (1): 1–26, [Bibcode:2016Phytx.265....1G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016Phytx.265....1G). [doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.265.1.1](https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.265.1.1). [hdl:2263/57046](https://hdl.handle.net/2263/57046), retrieved 2017-10-18

1. Kelch, D.G. (2002), ["Consider the Lilies"](http://faculty.valenciacollege.edu/tklenk/botany/readings/Liliaceae.pdf), *Fremontia*. **30** (2): 23–29

1. Smith, Gideon F. (1993), "Familial Orthography: Aloeaceae vs. Aloaceae", *Taxon*. **42** (1): 87–90, [Bibcode:1993Taxon..42...87S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993Taxon..42...87S). [doi:10.2307/1223308](https://doi.org/10.2307/1223308). [JSTOR 1223308](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1223308)

1. Holmes, Walter C. & White, Heather L., ["Aloaceae"](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=20013), "Flora of North America *(online)*", Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.), eFloras.org, retrieved 2017-10-19

1. Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009), "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III", *Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society*. **161** (2): 105–121, [doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x). [hdl:10654/18083](https://hdl.handle.net/10654/18083)

1. Rowley, G.D. (2013), "Generic concepts in the Alooideae 3: The phylogenetic story", *Alsterworthia International*. **10**: 1–7. Cited in Gildenhuys & Klopper (2016)

1. Rowley, Gordon (2015), ["*Tulista* Raf. - Counsel for the Defence"](https://alsterworthia.haworthia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/alsterworthia-v15-1.pdf), *Alsterworthia*. **15** (1): 2–3, retrieved 2017-10-20

1. ["Taxon search"](http://wcsp.science.kew.org/home.do), *[World Checklist of Selected Plant Families](/source/World_Checklist_of_Selected_Plant_Families)*, [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens,_Kew), retrieved 2017-10-19

1. Manning, John C.; Boatwright, James S.; & Daru, Barnabas H. (2014), ["*Aloe* and goodbye: a new evolutionary classification of the Alooids"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264310884), *Alsterworthia International*. **14** (2): 7–15, retrieved 2017-10-19

1. ["*Aloe*"](http://wcsp.science.kew.org/namedetail.do?name_id=297004), *World Checklist of Selected Plant Families*, [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens,_Kew), retrieved 2017-10-19

1. Smith, G.F. & Newton, L.E. (2002 [copyright 2001]), ["Aloaceae"](https://books.google.com/books?id=nz71CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA10), *Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons*, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, p. 102ff, ISBN 978-3-540-41692-0, retrieved 2017-10-19

1. Eshun, K. & He, Q. (2004), "*Aloe vera*: a valuable ingredient for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries—a review", *Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr*. **44** (2): 91–6, [doi:10.1080/10408690490424694](https://doi.org/10.1080/10408690490424694). [PMID 15116756](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15116756). [S2CID 21241302](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:21241302)

1. Ishii, Y.; Tanizawa, H.; & Takino, Y. (1994), "Studies of aloe. V. Mechanism of cathartic effect (4)", *Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin*. **17** (5): 651–653, [doi:10.1248/bpb.17.651](https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.17.651). [PMID 7920425](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7920425)

1. Lulinski, Beth & Kapica, Cathy (1998), ["Some notes on Aloe Vera"](http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aloe.html), *Quackwatch*, retrieved 2017-10-19

1. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans (2016), ["1 Exposure Data"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK350431/), "Some Drugs and Herbal Products", IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 108, Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer, retrieved 2017-10-19

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aloeae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloeae) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloeae?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.