Introduction

Quiver trees are tall stately plants, ultimately reaching 10-25 ft. Quiver trees grow naturally in the northwestern parts of South Africa and in the southern and central parts of Namibia. Quiver trees are well adapted to dry places.

The Details

These trees are known as the quiver trees because the San people once used the tree’s thinner branches as quivers to carry arrows.

They usually grow in rocky, mountainous areas or on sandy plains. Like all Aloe-like plants, quiver trees are succulents, and they store water in their stems and leaves. Until recently they were considered a species of Aloe (Aloe dicotoma). But, they are now considered to be a cousing species (Aloidendron dichotomum).

The photos on this page were taken by Amante Darmanin or Ragnhild and Neil Crawford.

Additional Reading: Conservation of Quiver Trees