Aloe Vera - Cape Verde

Aloe vera plants are stemless or short-stemmed succulents growing to average heights of 80 centimeters. The edge of the thick leaves are serrated with small white teeth. Flowers are produced on the long stalks emerging from the center of the plant cluster. Succulent plants are sometimes referred to as “fat” plants. This is based on the leaf structures of the plant appearing thick or fleshy, an important feature of the plant for absorbing and retaining water in arid climates or poor soil conditions. 

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When the first Portuguese explorers arrived on the Cape Verde Islands, they found an uninhabited archipelago. The first permanent settlement was established in 1562 on Santiago, the largest island of the group. Ribeira Grande, now named Cidade Velha, was an important transit point on Cape Verde for ships passing between Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Far East. One infamous route  passing through Cape Verde was used for transporting slaves from Africa to the Americas.

Candelabra Aloe - KwaNdebele

The South Ndebele Territory Authority was created in 1977 and achieved status as a self-governing Bantustan in 1981. The region was set aside to serve as a homeland for the South Ndebele people. The territory was scheduled to become fully independent in 1986, but did not have a viable economy to make the transition. 

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Aloe arborescens - The candelabra aloe, also known as the torch aloe, is one of about 500 species in the aloe tribe, a group of succulent plants. “Arborescens” defines the plant’s tree-like appearance; it can grows to heights of 3 meters. The leaves, dependent on region and sunlight, range from green-yellow to green-blue. They have small spikes along the edges and are arranged in rosettes; an arrangement of leaves or structures resembling leaves. The bright red flowers grow on an inflorescence towering up to 50 centimeters above the plants.

Christmas Cactus - Brazil

Schlumbergera truncata - When cultivated as a house plant, it is referred to as a “Christmas cactus.” Schlumbergera consists of six species of plants endemic to Southeastern Brazil. These plants are leafless; the green stems serve as the source of the photosynthesis process. Schlumbergeras are either epiphytic, living with a tree in a nonparasitic relationship or epilithic, living in a rocky crevice. In both cases it derives its nutrients from the air or decaying matter falling within its space.

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The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in June of 1494 and divided the newly discovered lands of the Americas between Portugal and Spain. The dividing line fell 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. This was the halfway point between the Cape Verde Islands, already belonged to Portugal, and the territory Cristóbal Colón had claimed for Spain on his first voyage. The dividing line was not clearly defined nor strictly enforced; the current border of Brazil exceeds the limits of the treaty considerably.

Hedge Cactus - Aruba

Aruba is an island where the cacti far out number the palms; it is dry, arid, and has no rivers. There is little rainfall and few sources of fresh water. The process of producing potable water by thermal desalination began in 1932; now it is done by reverse osmosis to supply a much larger population and a thriving tourist industry.

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Cereus repandus - The hedge cactus is endemic to several islands of the Caribbean. Seedlings of the hedge cactus rely heavily on nurse plants. These are usually mature trees with established canopies acting as host by providing micro-habitats for smaller non-competitive plants. The shade, ground moisture, and rich soil support the germination of seeds rooting near the base of the host. The new arrival reciprocates by providing additional moisture, nutrients from litter, and as a cactus, limits potential grazers from getting too close..