Socotrine aloe

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Socotrine aloe
• Zanzibar aloe
• Perry's aloe

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asparagales, it is classified within the family Asphodelaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Aloe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a highly restricted and specific geographical range. It is native to the Northeast Tropical Africa region, specifically localized to the Socotra archipelago. Within this unique island environment, the species has adapted to the distinct climatic conditions provided by the area. Because it is endemic to Socotra, its natural occurrence is limited to this single geographic location. Consequently, its entire global distribution remains confined to this specific part of the Indian Ocean.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aloe perryi is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. As a chamaephyte, its growth form is adapted to maintain its reproductive and vegetative structures close to the ground, a trait shared across its classification as both a chamaephyte and a specifically structured life form in botanical terms. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen status, ensuring that its succulent foliage remains functional and photosynthetic year-round without undergoing a deciduous period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aloe perryi is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.3 m, maintaining a self-supporting habit that does not require external structures for stability. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aloe perryi is characterized by specialized Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), an adaptation that allows the plant to conserve water by fixing carbon dioxide at night and performing photosynthesis during the day. This metabolic pathway minimizes transpiration losses, which is critical for its survival in arid environments. The plant utilizes succulent, water-storing parenchyma tissue within its leaves to maintain hydration during prolonged droughts. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, Aloe perryi is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system. Its physiological processes are closely tied to its ability to regulate osmotic potential and manage high light intensities through protective pigments and specialized cellular structures.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aloe perryi has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Chemicals

Aloe perryi has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides, 6-METHYL-5-HEPTEN-2-ONE, Flavonoids, Phenols, Phytosterols.

Glycosides

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

6-METHYL-5-HEPTEN-2-ONE

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Phenols

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Phytosterols

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

caffeic acid

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

luteolin

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

luteolin glucoside

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

quinic acid

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Conditions

Aloe perryi has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacteria, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer.

Bacteria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Breast cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Colon cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Liver cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Lung cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Prostate cancer

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Aloe perryi has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology