Spiky!

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:49 pm

This is my Favourite Aloe. it has raised spikes on white nipples and its skin is said to be like that of a shark, apparently!

FZ7 with +4 close up lens

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:29 pm

I did not realize that aloes were so menacing. Looks like a cactus or do they, the aloes, belong to the same family of plants? Nice shots there Cyclops

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:51 pm

Pleasing studies in form, light and shade Larry.

Ken - Aloes are not members of the cactaceae nor are they related to the very similar looking Agave (also not true cacti).

They (Aloes) mostly come from the African continent (and southern Europe, although I don't know if they were introduced from Africa in antiquity).

Aloes certainly resemble Agaves which all originate from the Americas. A good example of parallel evolution to fill a similar environmental niche in different part of the world. The similarity however is only skin deep (try snapping a leaf in half - easy with most aloes, next to impossible with an agave).

Bruce

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:22 pm

That is pretty spiky looking. The B&W picture has the mood of being hot and dry

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:22 am

Theyre actually closely related to Lillies, and were until recently in the Lilliaceae family(now moved to Asphodelaceae)
Cacti are all in the Cactaceae family and are prety much all American.

Theres a saying my brother used to use years ago and has stuck with me- all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti

Of course even this isnt strictly true as there are a few leafy non- succulent primitive cacti(Pereskia etc).