The main difference between aloe vera and cactus is that aloe vera has long and narrow, fleshy leaves, while cactus has thick and flat stems that modify into leaves.
Aloe vera and cactus are both succulent plants that thrive in dry and arid conditions. They are popular for their ornamental and medicinal uses, and their unique physical characteristics make them stand out from other types of plants. However, these two plants belong to two distinct families. Cacti belong to the family Cactaceae, while aloe belongs to the family Asphodelaceae.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Aloe Vera
– Definition, Appearance, Features
2. What is Cactus
– Definition, Appearance, Features
3. Similarities Between Aloe Vera and Cactus
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Aloe Vera and Cactus
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Aloe Vera, Cactus
What is Cactus
The Cactus is a succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem that bears spines and lacks leaves. It’s a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Cacti are popular plants, and there are many types of cacti. Also, they are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Most cacti live in arid habitats, even in extremely dry deserts. Since cacti are succulent plants with thick, fleshy parts, they can store water.
Moreover, most species of cacti do not have true leaves. They have only spines, which are highly modified leaves. And, these spines prevent herbivores from feeding on the plant and reduce water loss by the stem. They are also a distinctive characteristic of each cactus variety. Cacti plants also have a unique external structure known as areoles. They are visible on the surface of the plant and look like small dots. Cactus spines come out of these structures. Generally, areoles occur in a linear pattern all over the plant body.
What is Aloe Vera
Aloe is a cactus-like plant that grows in hot, dry climates. Generally, people cultivate it in subtropical regions globally, including the southern border areas of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Aloe has fleshy leaves that are usually long and narrow. They are green in color with white spots. Although aloe vera is similar to cacti, they usually don’t have spines. But they may have serrated edges on their leaves.
Moreover, historically, people have used aloe for skin conditions and believed that it improved baldness and promoted wound healing. Aloe can be applied on the skin topically or consumed orally. Furthermore, some recommend using topical aloe for acne, lichen planus (a very itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth), oral submucous fibrosis, burning mouth syndrome, burns, and radiation-induced skin toxicity. They also promote oral aloe for weight loss, diabetes, hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, which is a group of conditions caused by gut inflammation, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Similarities Between Aloe Vera and Cactus
- Both aloe vera and cactus are succulent plants.
- They survive in dry and arid conditions by storing water in their leaves, stems, or roots.
- Aloe vera and cactus are relatively easy to care for and do not require frequent watering or fertilization.
Difference Between Aloe Vera and Cactus
Definition
Cactus is a succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem that generally bears spines and lacks leaves, while aloe vera is a cactus-like plant that grows in hot, dry climates.
Family
Cacti belong to the family Cactaceae, while aloe belongs to the family Asphodelaceae,
Appearance
Aloe vera has fleshy leaves that are usually long and narrow, while cactus has thick and flattened stems that are modified into leaves.
Spines
Cacti typically have spines or thorns, while aloe plants usually don’t have spines but may have serrated edges on their leaves.
Flowering
Aloe plants produce tall stalks with clusters of tubular flowers at the top, while cactus flowers tend to be larger and showier and may bloom in different colors.
Habitat
Aloe plants are often found in subtropical regions, while cacti are typically associated with arid and desert environments.
Conclusion
The main difference between aloe vera and cactus is that aloe vera has long, narrow, fleshy leaves, while cactus has thick and flat stems that modify into leaves. Moreover, aloe plants are often found in subtropical regions, while cacti are typically associated with arid and desert environments.
Reference:
1. “What Is a Cactus Plant?” Succulent City, 28 Oct. 2021.
2. “Aloe Vera.” Encyclopedia.com
Image Courtesy:
1. “Photo of Green Succulents Near an Orange Wall” by Matzi (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Aloe Vera.” By PilotChicago – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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