Editing Asphodeloideae (section)

=== Aloin cells ===

The presence of [[aloin]] cells is a distinctive character of the Aloeae. These cells are present in all Aloeae, but are absent in most of the other genera within Asphodeloideae.<ref name=Chase2000/> A well-developed cap of thin-walled [[parenchyma]] cells occurs at the [[phloem]] pole of each [[vascular bundle]].<ref name=Smith1991/> Chase posits that they are involved in [[secondary metabolite]] production,<ref name=Chase2000/> but Beaumont suggests that the cells act as a storage tissue for compounds synthesized in the surrounding layer of cells.<ref name=Beaumont>{{cite journal|last1=Beaumont|first1=J.|first2=D.F. |last2=Cutler |first3=T. |last3=Reynolds|title=Secretory tissues in the East African shrubby aloes|journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society|year=1986|volume=92|issue=4|pages=399–403|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1986.tb01439.x}}</ref> The aloin cells are said to produce the characteristic thick exudate that is produced when the succulent leaf of aloe is severed.<ref name=Beaumont/> The aloin cells produce [[natural anthraquinone|anthraquinone]] and [[chromone]] derivatives,<ref name=Beaumont/> which may be responsible for the medicinal attributes of ''[[Aloe]]''.