and coworkers produced a phylogeny in which Aloe was divided into six genera: Aloidendron, Kumara, Aloiampelos, Aloe, Aristaloe and Gonialoe. Species Over 600 species are accepted in the genus Aloe, plus even more synonyms and unresolved species, subspecies, varieties, and hybrids. Some of the accepted species are: Aloe aculeata Pole-Evans Aloe africana Mill. Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds Aloe albiflora Guillaumin Aloe arborescens Mill. Aloe arenicola Reynolds Aloe argenticauda Merxm. & Giess Aloe bakeri Scott-Elliot Aloe ballii Reynolds Aloe ballyi Reynolds Aloe brevifolia Mill. Aloe broomii Schönland Aloe buettneri A.Berger Aloe camperi Schweinf. Aloe capitata Baker Aloe comosa Marloth & A.Berger Aloe cooperi Baker Aloe corallina Verd. Aloe dewinteri Giess ex Borman & Hardy Aloe erinacea D.S.Hardy Aloe excelsa A.Berger Aloe ferox Mill. Aloe forbesii Balf.f. Aloe helenae Danguy Aloe hereroensis Engl. Aloe inermis Forssk. Aloe inyangensis Christian Aloe jawiyon S.J.Christie, D.P.Hannon & Oakman ex A.G.Mill. Aloe jucunda Reynolds Aloe khamiesensis Pillans Aloe kilifiensis Christian Aloe maculata All. Aloe marlothii A.Berger Aloe mubendiensis Christian Aloe namibensis Giess Aloe nyeriensis Christian & I.Verd. Aloe pearsonii Schönland Aloe peglerae Schönland Aloe perfoliata L. Aloe perryi Baker Aloe petricola Pole-Evans Aloe polyphylla Pillans Aloe rauhii Reynolds Aloe reynoldsii Letty Aloe scobinifolia Reynolds & Bally Aloe sinkatana Reynolds Aloe squarrosa Baker ex Balf.f. Aloe striata Haw. Aloe succotrina Lam. Aloe suzannae Decary Aloe thraskii Baker Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Aloe viridiflora Reynolds Aloe wildii (Reynolds) Reynolds In addition to the species and hybrids between species within the genus, several hybrids with other genera have been created in cultivation, such as between Aloe and Gasteria (× Gasteraloe), and between Aloe and Astroloba (×Aloloba). Uses Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Aloe vera is used both internally and externally on humans as folk or alternative medicine. The Aloe species is known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Around 75% of Aloe species are used locally for medicinal uses. The plants can also be made into types of special soaps or used in other skin care products (see natural skin care). Numerous cultivars with mixed or uncertain parentage are grown. Of these, Aloe ‘Lizard Lips’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Aloe variegata has been planted on graves in the superstitious belief that this ensures eternal life. Historical uses Historical use of various