Aloe (Aloe vera)

This was an aloe plant I found planted outside of someone's home for decoration.

 Aloe vera, commonly called Aloe, is a succulent plant that is known for its medicinal properties. The succulence of this plant makes it a common ornamental plant in dry climates and its resistance to most insect pests makes it an ideal ornamental plant. The Aloe can also be grown in small proportions as a potted plant. This plant is also grown for the interesting and unique red flower that it forms. Aloe is widely known for its healing properties of inflamed or damaged tissue. It has also been used to aide in the healing of stomach disorders, ulcers, constipation, hemorrhoids, colitis, and a host of skin problems including cuts, bruises, burns, and athlete's foot. The healing property in the plant itself lies within the thick gelatinous sap if the leaves. When the leaves are broken in half, the gelatinous sap can be applied directly to the skin for comfort with burns. Many of the sun burn products or skin ointments in local drugstores contain the ingredient Aloe vera within the bottle.

 

A beautiful example of the unique red flower that forms from the Aloe.

Top Picture: taken with my own camera

Bottom Picture from: http://www.nopalcactusblog.com/2009/12/02/aloe-vera/

Hala Tree (Pandanus tectorius)

Hala Tree (Pandanus tectorius)

The Pandanus tectorius, commonly known as the Hala Tree, is the only species of the genus Pandanus that is native to Hawaiʻi. You may have noticed these trees landscaped across the UH Manoa campus or spotting the coastline of local beaches. This plant is very distinguishable because of the aerial roots called prop roots and the long bent leaves. The Hala is a coastal tree that thrives in salty environments, sandy soils, and is very hardy. The Hala tree is a very popular ornamental plant for landscaping because it was a very important plant in ancient Hawai'i. The leaves of the Hala were woven into fine mats that were used for house flooring. Currently people make lauhala bracelets and purses. The lau is the Hawaiian word for leaf. The dried fruits of the Hala were also used as paint brushes for dying clothing and the prop roots were used for medicinal healing. 

The image was taken with my own personal camera at the UH Manoa Campus.