___ vera gel (4)

I believe the answer is:

aloe

(Other definitions for aloe that I've seen before include "shrub" , "Succulent plant (may be bitter!)" , "Bitter drug from a leaf juice" , "Genus of bitter herbs" , "Succulent plant (4) 5532" .)

I've seen this clue in the Newsday, the LA Times, the USA Today and The New York Times.

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