Quiver Tree

Afrikaans name: Kokerboom

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

Aloe dichotoma

The Quiver Tree is one of the most distinctive trees in the more arid parts of South Africa. It is a member of the aloe family. Despite the harsh conditions they may live for 80 years.

The tree grows to a height of around 7 metres. In the months of June and July they produce yellow flowers which attract birds such as the sugarbirds. The trees are also popular with Sociable Weavers who may build their massive communal nests in them.

How did the tree get its common name of Quiver Tree? It comes from the Bushmen who make quivers for their arrows by hollowing out the branches of the tree.

The Quiver Tree is commonly used in landscape gardens in drier areas of the world.

References and further reading

Wild Issue 18 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 38

Wildflowers of the Northern Cape - Author: Jill Adams - Published: 1976 - Page: 12

Wild Flowers of Namaqualand - Author: Annelise Le Roux - Published: 2015 - Page: 98

What s that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 28

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 108

What Aloe is That? - Author: Eric Judd - Published: 1967 - Page: 16

Succulents of South Africa - Author: E. Van Jaarsveld, B. Van Wyk and G. Smith - Published: 2000 - Page: 37

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 275

Sasol First Field Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa - Author: Gideon Smith - Published: 2003 - Page: 24

Sasol First Field Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: John Manning - Published: 2018 - Page: 17

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 16

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 159

Succulents of South Africa - Author: E. Van Jaarsveld, B. Van Wyk and G. Smith - Published: 2000 - Page: 17

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 52

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 11

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 103

SA Wild Flower Guide No 1 - Namaqualand and Clanwilliam - Author: A. Le Roux, E. Schelpe and Z. Wahl - Published: 1984 - Page: 28

Know Them by their Fruit - Author: AT Ankiewicz - Published: 2021 - Page: 366

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 392

Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa - Author: Gideon Smith & Neil Crouch - Published: 2009 - Page: 32

Guide to the Aloes of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Ben-Erik van Wyk and Gideon F. Smith - Published: 2014 - Page: 40

Everyone s Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 18

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 77

Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa - Author: John Manning - Published: 2009 - Page: 76

Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of South Africa (updated edition) - Author: John Manning - Published: 2019 - Page: 76

Field guide to Succulents of Southern Africa - Author: Gideon Smith & Neil Crouch - Published: 2017 - Page: 157

Country Life - Issue 266 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 28

Aloes in Southern Africa - Author: Braam van Wyk, Gideon F. Smith - Published: 2008 - Page: 58

Cacti and Succulents in Habitat - Author: Ken Preston-Mafham - Published: 1994 - Page: 137

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 76

For more info: SANBI

Top