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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more info: SANBI

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