Quiver Trees

The quiver tree, Aloidendron dichotomum, is distributed throughout the Northern region of Western Cape of South Africa and Southern Namibia in what is called Bushmanland. In Namibia, you can see a forest of them near the town of Keetmanshoop on a private farm. Found in arid and rocky habitats, quiver trees belong to the aloe family and were recently placed in their own aloe tree genus. They can grow 7-9 meters tall.

Simon van der Stel, governor of the Cape in 1685, was the first person to make a record of the quiver tree, which was named for his description of its use in making arrow quivers. Governor van der Stel wrote that natives to the area called the tree Choje and hollowed out branches to make a strong quiver in which to carry arrows. In addition to this nominal use, the quiver tree trunk can be hollowed out and used as a natural refrigerator for food because the fibrous tissue maintains cool temperatures with air flow.

Quiver Trees (credit Jose Carlos Babo)

In terms of ecological roles, quiver trees serve as important nesting sites for sociable weavers, a common bird in Southern Africa. Sociable weavers build community nests and breed by the thousands in quiver trees because they can stay cool in the shade while avoiding snakes and other predators. Between June and August, bright yellow flowers, full of nectar, bloom all over the trees to attract pollinators and other animals. In order to adapt to the harsh heat and sunlight of the desert, the trunk of the quiver tree is covered in whitish powder that reflects the sun away from the bark.

The quiver tree is a vulnerable species that is threatened by decreasing rainfall and rising temperatures resulting from climate change. Currently, the distribution of quiver tree populations is shifting slightly to cooler regions. Namibia’s Quiver Tree Forest is now a national monument.

- Hayden


http://pza.sanbi.org/aloidendron-dichotomum
http://www.info-namibia.com/activities-and-places-of-interest/fish-river/quivertree-forest-and-mesosaurus-fossiles
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/09/quiver-tree-forest-namibia.html