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Aloe ferox


Aloe ferox
Photo Information
Copyright: SC Davidson (azleader) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 51 W: 2 N: 185] (899)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-06
Categories: Desert, Flowers
Camera: Sony DSC-F717, 58 mm Polarizer Hoya
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Desert Wildflowers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-14 15:39
Viewed: 604
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Aloe ferox

This speciment was photographed at Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona.

This plant is native to South Africa and is grown for its bitter sap that discourages plant predators. It is grown mainly for its laxative properties but is also taken for arthritis. The gel-like flesh from the inside of the leaves is used in cosmetic products and is reported to have wound healing properties.

It is a type of plant called a succulent. Succulents are desert plants having thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves or stems. This one is in bloom with red flowers on long stalks.

All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. An Aloe is a succulent but not a cactus.

Note:
Very special thanks to TNer fragman, Ori Fragman Sapir, for correcting my mis-identification of this plant. He is a biologist and a lot smarter than me. :)
nirmalroberts, jaycee, tuslaw, eqshannon, vanderschelden has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Dangers of the Desertazleader 1 05-25 03:14
To jaycee: Thanks...azleader 1 05-15 13:06
To fragman: Hmmmmm...azleader 1 05-14 22:34
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Critiques [Translate]

nice, but this is not a yucca , it is Aloe ferox, a South African plant. TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 193 W: 0 N: 276] (1157)
  • [2008-05-14 22:30]

Hi Davidson,

Good photo of the plant! Very good way of using the light. You succed to get good lighting and colors both in lighted sides as well as in the shade. DOF is good and even fine details of the pland can be seen.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hi Davidson,
Very brilliant picture. TFS.
- Nirmal

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1683 W: 24 N: 4905] (15988)
  • [2008-05-15 8:34]

Hi Davidson,
Splendid shot of this amazing cactus and its gorgeous flowers. The desert landscape and the blue sky makes it a great posting and I like the light and shadow play here. Very impressive sharpness and colours. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 201 W: 7 N: 511] (1609)
  • [2008-05-15 14:08]

SC,
What a beautiful image of such a gorgeous plant. The sharpnes and DOF are wonderful. The colours are very natural and eye catching.
I have used the gel from this plant on numerous occasions. Nice notes!
Ron

Hi Steve,

What beautiful, deep, rich colors. A wonderful shot of this succulent - not that I know one from the other. I'm still learning which cactus is which.

Jane

This looks about the same size as one I sat on...but I think the needles were a bit smaller...I had no idea...well afterwards I did though...for a few days while having my wife do necessary repairs:-)
Bob

Hello SC,
"All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. An Aloe is a succulent but not a cactus."
Okay, I got it:-)
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 364 W: 39 N: 666] (2079)
  • [2008-06-09 22:18]

Hi Davidson,
I have a fascination for these desert/cacti plants especially the flowering ones. And this seems to be a really wonderful one with its medicinal properties included.
I dont know whether these planst or a varities of these cna be found here , it would have been quite a useful one for my mum and mum-in-law:), both being arthritis patients.
Fine cpature, good exposure, colour and contrasts. I guess it was a slope on which the plants stood and you stood on the downward side to get a nice bit of sky an the mount on the BG.The red flower looks absolutley neat with wonderful details.
Well done.
TFS & cheers

That little Sony sure does a job for you on all those cactus shots. Nice.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3417 W: 144 N: 5803] (17209)
  • [2008-07-05 17:55]

I see these vicious looking plants here in our botanic gardens. You have good information on them Steve. But it is good to see it growing in its natural habitat
TFS
Janice

Hello Sc,
Very nice capture, beautiful plant, Boyce Thompson is one
of my favorites.. Congrats

Everton

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