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Quiver Tree Forest Namibia - Kokerboom (in
Afrikaans)
Aloe Dichotoma first recorded by Simon van der Stel the
Dutch Governor of the Cape
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If you are driving in the
Keetmanshoop district of
Namibia you'll see quiver trees on many of the hill sides, but a
short detour to the Quiver Tree Forest that is situated on Farm
Gariganus 157 will make for some excellent photographs of a 'tree
with a difference'.
Simon van der Stel (1639-1712) who served as Governor
of the Cape Colony from 1679 to 1699 was a great explorer and the
first European to record the Quiver Tree whilst
prospecting for copper in Namaqualand, North Western Cape in 1685.
The expedition's artist Hendrik Clauduis made sketches of the tree.
The English artist, explorer,
cartographer (John) Thomas Baines
(1822 - 1875) whilst trekking from
Walvis Bay to Otjimbingwe
in April 1861 made sketches of the Trees and named it, 'The Great
Aloe Tree Of Damaraland'. He wrote of his first sighting of
the tree, "Indeed, at the risk of incurring
the reader's contempt, I confess I can never quite get over the
feeling that the wonderful products of nature are objects to be admired, rather than
destroyed."
Forest on rocky outcrop |
Aloe dichotoma |
Quiver Tree Trunk Section |
The Quiver Tree is only naturally found in the
North Western Cape and Southern Namibia running up into Damaraland.
The Quiver Tree (Kokerboom in Afrikaans) is not
really a tree, but a plant, being the Aloe dichotoma. The 'trees'
are normally seen standing singly, in very arid and rocky areas, and they are
usually found on rocky north-facing hills. It is quite unusual to
see them grouped 'forest-like' as can be seen on the Farm Gariganus
157.
The trees can grow to between 200 and 300 years
old, reach about 9metres in height and have a base diameter of about 1
metre. The Quiver Tree trunk is tapered and covered with a rich brown yellow
patterned bark that flakes off giving a scaly effect to the trunk. The
edges of these scales can be
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Karas Region
26º28'S - 18º14'E
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quite sharp, so be careful if you intend to run
your hands over them. The core of the trunk is mainly fibrous which allows
for water storage. Older trees bristle with a profusion of branches that are
silver in appearance. The tree branches exudes fine droplets of a liquid
that when dried leaves behind a silver talcum like powder that helps to
reflect the sharp light. A natural sun-screen that also helps the tree to
keep cooler.
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Aloe dichotoma |
Aloe dichotoma |
Quiver Tree Trunk Section |
Forest on rocky outcrop |
The long spiked leaves of the Quiver Tree grow up to
about 30cm in length and are also
covered with a fine layer of silver powder. The Quiver Tree first
flowers when between 20 to 30 years old. The flowers are a bright
yellow in colour and bloom during the southern winter months of June
and July. The fruit is oval and has six longitudinal grooves.
The San Bushmen would cut a branch from a tree, hollow
out the fibrous inside, fit an end cap and then use this as a quiver
for their arrows. Thus the name given to the tree.
LeRoux |
Glossy bark |
Fibrous trunk |
Spiked leaves |
Fruit |
You'll enjoy a stay over at the Guest Farm Gariganus.
They have cheetah and a pet Warthog that make for some good photos.
Ottie's tusks |
Ottie snoozing |
I'm watching |
Le-Roux taking it carefully |
Acknowledgements and
further reading: H10, H12, P1
Of Interest: Koker is Afrikaans for Quiver. The Old-English the word for a
quiver was Cocor.The Present English word quiver is from the Old-French Quivredichotoma is derived from the word dichotomous meaning forked
branches
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