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Namibia: Quivertree forest
The quiver tree or "Kokerboom" is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia. Actually it is no tree, but an aloe plant. The plant is called a "Kokerboom" because some Bushmen and Hottentot tribes used the tough, pliable bark and branches to make quivers for their arrows. "Koker" is the Afrikaans word for quiver.
The quiver tree is a stout tree up to 9 metres high with a smooth trunk which can be up to one metre in diameter at ground level. The plants are usually found growing singly but in some areas the plants grow in large groups, giving the effect of a forest. The quiver tree propogates only by seeds. They have their first flowers when they are about 20 to 30 years old. The flowers are branch panicles up to 30 cm tall from the base of the penducle to the apex of the terminal of the racem. The flowers have a bright yellow colour. The flowering-season is in the winter during June and July.
Namibia: Quivertree forest
The quiver tree or "Kokerboom" is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia. Actually it is no tree, but an aloe plant. The plant is called a "Kokerboom" because some Bushmen and Hottentot tribes used the tough, pliable bark and branches to make quivers for their arrows. "Koker" is the Afrikaans word for quiver.
The quiver tree is a stout tree up to 9 metres high with a smooth trunk which can be up to one metre in diameter at ground level. The plants are usually found growing singly but in some areas the plants grow in large groups, giving the effect of a forest. The quiver tree propogates only by seeds. They have their first flowers when they are about 20 to 30 years old. The flowers are branch panicles up to 30 cm tall from the base of the penducle to the apex of the terminal of the racem. The flowers have a bright yellow colour. The flowering-season is in the winter during June and July.