Latin/Botanical Name: Aloe Barbadensis

Origin: Arabian Peninsula

Family Name: Liliaceae

Common Name: Aloe Vera

Given Name: The Madri (Or, the Jamies)

//

Aloe is an extremely friendly and hardy succulent. In my three months of experience living with them, I find they need little water, a bit of light, and generally don’t attract bugs. My Madri appear healthy. What brown spots I’ve found I attribute to over-watering, a common problem with succulents, at least for me in this the springtime of my gardening naiveté.

Their root systems produce new aloe “pups” regularly making propagation quite easy. The rate of growth is astonishing, so much that I’ve had to secure several new pots, new homes for them.

It’s said the sap from their leaves has curative properties, particularly for bruises and burns. I’ve never directly applied such to an injury, but am half-wishing a mild mishap just so I can test this out. In some circles, people tout the sap’s ability to whiten teeth and note that such a natural solution holds less potential damage than the chemical bleaching agents, such as carbamide peroxide, that dentists traditionally employ.

From the root up, they grow in a staggered, staccato with colors ranging from pale, almost translucent green to a deep rich verde. The edges of their leaves are serrated and tiny white teeth, hinted at in their latin/botanical name: Aloe Barbadensis, embody the emptiest of threats.

//

I have one pup near my computer,

one in the kitchen,

and one on the window ledge.

One more by the bed,

Two near the books,

Three on the stand,

And four more tucked away in little, secret, out-of-the-way nooks.