Evolutionary history and leaf succulence as explanations for medicinal

Download full-text PDF Read full-text. Abstract and Figures Public Full-text. Grace et al. We developed an explicit phylogenetic framework to explore links between the rich traditions of medicinal use and leaf succulence in aloes. Results: The phylogenetic hypothesis clarifies the origins of Aloe vera to the Arabian Peninsula at the northernmost limits of the range for aloes.

We developed an explicit phylogenetic framework to explore links between the rich traditions of medicinal use and leaf succulence in aloes.

A significant, albeit weak, phylogenetic signal is evident in the medicinal uses of aloes, suggesting that the properties for which they are valued do not occur randomly across the branches of the phylogenetic tree. Conclusions: Phylogenetic investigation of plant use and leaf succulence among aloes has yielded new explanations for the extraordinary market dominance of Aloe vera.

The industry preference for Aloe vera appears to be due to its proximity to important historic trade routes, and early introduction to trade and cultivation. Well-developed succulent leaf mesophyll tissue, an adaptive feature that likely contributed to the ecological success of the genus Aloe, is the main predictor for medicinal use among Aloe species, whereas evolutionary loss of succulence tends to be associated with losses of medicinal use.

Phylogenetic analyses of plant use offer potential to understand patterns in the value of global plant diversity. We have billion [1].

Evolutionary history and leaf succulence as explanations for medicinal use in aloes and the global popularity of Aloe vera.

Aloe vera has supported a thriving vera e. Aloe ferox in South Africa and Aloe arborescens in Asia [4]. BMC Evolutionary Biology Page 2 of 12 processes of selection and speciation, resulting in appar- plant use in an evolutionary context, and in particular the ently unique properties and phylogenetic isolation, has extraordinary case of Aloe vera, which is used almost ex- not previously been considered.

We used this to Peninsula, Madagascar and western Indian Ocean islands. Links between the medicinal Africa, they are also abundantly represented in tropical usefulness of aloes, their phylogenetic history, and extent and subtropical vegetation infrequently impacted by of leaf succulence were evaluated by identifying evolu- drought.

All aloes possess some degree of leaf succu- tionary correlations and phylogenetic signal in uses and lence, as well as crassulacean acid metabolism CAM habit.