Scientists at Kew Gardens are taking the unprecedented step of crowdfunding to unlock the secrets of aloe vera.
Once rumoured to be a staple in Cleopatra’s beauty regime, the gel from the leaves of the aloe vera plant is now used in a huge variety of food and health products.
Kew scientists hope to confirm the identity of the mysterious plant’s closest relatives, unlocking the wide-reaching benefits of the plant to humankind.
They are hoping to secure £7,000 via crowdfunding to build a robust family tree highlighting the relationships between aloe vera and its wild relatives.
Dr Olwen Grace, scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: “The funding for this research will go beyond solving a botanical mystery.
"Understanding the relationships between aloes and the unique properties of Aloe vera will allow us to share information with people who rely on these plants for their livelihoods, to unlock the potential natural capital of cultivating aloe vera and other local species for similar purposes.”
The crowdfunding campaign is hosted by the science funding platform Walacea.com and will run for 30 days from July 4 to August 3 2016.
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