Family: Asphodelaceae
Scientific Name: Aloe dichotoma
Common names: Quiver tree, Kokerboom (Afrikaans), Köcherbaum (German), //garas (Nama).
SANTN:29
Description: This aloe is the only of its kind that grow into a tree, and could reach up to 9 m tall. The Quiver tree is only found (endemic) in the dry desert regions of the Namib desert stretching from north-west South Africa to Namibia. The trunk has a yellow-grey flaky appearance, with the top branches tightly clustered. Leaves are greyish in colour and succulent as with other aloe. The flowers are small and yellow. The wood is very soft and scar easily. When the tree dies, the wood dries quickly and is very light.
Medical uses: The boiled root can be taken for treating asthma, and the pure leave sap is used to treat burns and skin disorders.
Superstition uses: The Nama tribe of Namibia belief that the spirit of an dead person will go live in the tree if their body is not buried.
Nutritive uses: The leaves is very bitter, and only used for medicinal purposes.
Other uses: The dry bark and branches was used to make quivers for arrows by the San / Bushmen.
Interesting Facts:
Credits: Christian Fourie.