Into the veld: The quiver tree 🌱

Horticulturist, Cornell Beukes, takes us through the intricacies of the indigenous Quiver Tree or “Kokerboom” (Aloidendron dichotomum).

Found from Nieuwoudtville to its most northern distribution area, the Brandberg in Namibia, this plant produces blue-grey rosettes with yellow flowers in the late autumn and early winter that are pollinated by sunbirds and other nectar feeding birds.

This unique plant will usually grow straight up (1-2 m) before splitting in two, from here the branches will always split in pairs of two.

The quiver tree’s grey-coloured stem helps reflect the sun in the hot arid areas where they grow whilst the bark produces sharp edges that can cut you, as means of protection.

They are easy to grow in cultivation, and from seed, which are wind-dispersed, in areas with an average yearly rainfall of 500 mm. When planting this tree in an area with more rainfall, elevate the plants for the roots to dry out quicker.

In the past this tree was also hollowed out to use as a quiver for storing arrows.

This tree makes a beautiful focal point in any garden and does well in our region as well with proper drainage.

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