BackgroundAloe vera supports a substantial global trade yet its wild origins, and explanations for its popularity over 500 related Aloe species in one of the world’s largest succulent groups, have remained uncertain. We developed an explicit phylogenetic framework to explore links between the rich traditions of medicinal use and leaf succulence in aloes.ResultsThe phylogenetic hypothesis clarifies the origins of Aloe vera to the Arabian Peninsula at the northernmost limits of the range for aloes. The genus Aloe originated in southern Africa ~16 million years ago and underwent two major radiations driven by different speciation processes, giving rise to the extraordinary diversity known today. Large, succulent leaves typical of medicinal aloes arose during the most recent diversification ~10 million years ago and are strongly correlated to the phylogeny and to the likelihood of a species being used for medicine. 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.ConclusionsPhylogenetic 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.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0291-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The predominantly southern African Xanthorrhoeaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae) has long been regarded as comprising seven so-called alooid genera (Aloe, Astroloba, Chortolirion, Gasteria, Haworthia, Lomatophyllum, Poellnitzia). A reassessment of the classification of the traditionally broadly circumscribed genus Aloe, a charismatic Old World group of leaf succulents, has necessitated nomenclatural adjustments. We propose a narrower generic concept for Aloe s. str. and the recognition of segregate genera to reflect accumulating evidence for monophyletic groups: here, the genus Kumara is reinstated and the new genera Aloidendron and Aloiampelos are established. New combinations are made in Aloe for the three species of Chortolirion.

The Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has recognised the currently existing taxonomic impediment to ensure the conservation and management of the world's biodiversity. In response, COP has formulated the concept of a Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) to promote a concerted effort among international funding agencies, national and sub­national governments, and non­governmental bodies. The GTI Africa Regional Workshop was held at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa, from 27 February to 1 March 2001. The Workshop was attended by a total of 43 delegates, representing 32 countries (23 African) and 36 institutions or organisations. The Kirstenbosch Declaration was compiled during the Workshop and summarises the major decisions and proposals made by the delegates at the Workshop. A Final Report summarising the discussions and decisions from the GTI Africa Regional Workshop is being prepared and will be distributed to all interested parties. A taxonomic needs assessment for Africa has been conducted as part of this project. The results from this first ever comprehensive taxonomic needs assessment covering plants, animals and micro­organisms for the African continent as a unit, are reported on here and forms an important part of the Final Report. The needs assessment highlights the prominent taxonomic impediment currently existing in the continent. Taxonomic capacity building is urgently needed in Africa; therefore, African taxonomic institutions can benefit immensely from the Global Taxonomy Initiative.

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Summary: Taxonomic concepts in the morphologically variable Aloe arborescens Mill. are discussed. Previous approaches to the taxonomy of this species varied from describing aberrant material as new entities, using formal taxonomic categories, to selecting forms with horticulturally desirable characters and naming these as cultivars. We propose that in the case of this species, the preferred approach to recognise variation among entities in horticulture should be at the level of cultivars, rather than formal taxonomic entities at infraspecific ranks. It is only after extensive fieldwork throughout the complete distribution range of this species and intensive research, including all possible forms of data (morphological, anatomical, chemical, molecular, etc.), that any formal distinctions at infraspecific level can be made.

Taxonomy provides a universal method to classify biodiversity at different scales locally and globally. Currently, existing taxonomic treatments are scattered, limiting their accessibility and utility. The Convention on Biological Diversity has responded to this challenge by setting the goal of compiling a World Flora Online (Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Target 1, 2011–2020). This can be done by aggregating electronically available information provided by each country, region or specialist group. Developing a Flora or a high‐level monographic product requires time and input from a large pool of taxonomic specialists. Completing a Flora may be difficult to accomplish for phytodiverse countries, such as South Africa, if the 2020 target is to be met. Fortunately, a large number of taxonomic contributions and many electronic tools exist that can enhance progress. Where these are available, efforts have to be made to access and digitise the literature. Here we describe a pragmatic approach to developing an online Flora, involving taking floristic information from multiple, previously published sources, digitising the legacy literature where needed and aggregating the required information into a single portal. South Africa is committed to producing an online Flora (the e‐Flora of South Africa) and contributing the information to the World Flora Online initiative following the aggregator portal approach, a method described here that might be useful for other countries with high phytodiversity.

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