From the center of this rosette springs the flowering stalk the ends in a dense cluster of yellow or reddish tube-shaped flowers. The century plat, also called American aloe, is similar in appearance but unrelated. Farmers in southern Texas raise large quantities of the Barbados aloe, also known as aloe Vera. This species also is a common houseplant. Its leaves contain a bitter juice.
Manufactures heat the juice at low temperatures to produce a powder and a gel.
The powder is used in medicine as a laxative and as an ingredient in some dietary supplements. Aloe gel is colorless and fells cool on the skin. It is used to make a wide variety of cosmetics, including skin creams, shampoos, and suntan lotions. Research has shown that aloe gel is effective in treating burns and frostbite. Certain African species of aloe have fibers in their leaves that are used for making rope, fishing nets, and coarse cloth.