Aloe dichotoma
Encyclopedia
Aloe dichotoma, also known as Quiver tree or Kokerboom, is a species of aloe
indigenous to Southern Africa
, specifically in the Northern Cape
region, and Namibia
.
, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes three subspecies, A. dichotoma subsp. dichotoma, A. dichotoma subsp. pillansii and A. dichotoma subsp. ramosissima. These have also been treated as three separate species, A. dichotoma, A. pillansii
and A. ramosissima
, which are then grouped within the Dracoaloe subsection of the genus Aloe
. All inhabit the same arid areas of the Richtersveld
and the Namib desert
around the South African-Namibian border. Treated as separate species, the three have been given different ratings on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
: 'vulnerable' for A. dichotoma, 'critically endangered' for A. pillansii and 'endangered' for A. ramossisima.
The three subspecies can be distinguished. In A. dichotoma subsp. pillansii, the inflorescence
s hang from below the lowest leaves, rather than growing erect. A. dichotoma subsp. ramosissima is considerably smaller - rarely reaching more than 2 m in height - and assumes a more shrub-like shape.
One of the few examples of spontaneous forests of A. dichotoma is the Quiver Tree Forest
, about 14 km north of Keetmanshoop
, in Namibia
. Another is located in the Northern Cape of South Africa at Gannabos. Known as Choje to the indigenous San
people, the Quiver tree gets its name from the their practice of hollowing out the tubular branches of Aloe dichotoma to form quiver
s for their arrow
s. Modeling of Aloe dichotoma in South Africa
and Namibia
has contributed to understanding the needs of protected areas in response to climate change. Modelled range declines in this species due to climate change have recently been confirmed by field surveys.
Aloe dichotoma is cultivated in the southwestern United States for use in landscaping. The slow growth rate and relative rarity of the plant make it a particularly expensive specimen.
Aloe
Aloe , also Aloë, is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe"....
indigenous to Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
, specifically in the Northern Cape
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...
region, and Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
.
, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes three subspecies, A. dichotoma subsp. dichotoma, A. dichotoma subsp. pillansii and A. dichotoma subsp. ramosissima. These have also been treated as three separate species, A. dichotoma, A. pillansii
Aloe pillansii
Aloe pillansii is a synonym of Aloe dichotoma subsp. pillansii, also called Giant Quiver Tree or Bastard Quiver Tree. It is regarded as critically endangered....
and A. ramosissima
Aloe ramosissima
Aloe ramosissima is a synomym for Aloe dichotoma var. ramosissima. The species is also called Maiden's Quiver Tree. Found in the arid Richtersveld region around the border of South Africa and Namibia, it is regarded as endangered, and is threatened by habitat loss...
, which are then grouped within the Dracoaloe subsection of the genus Aloe
Aloe
Aloe , also Aloë, is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe"....
. All inhabit the same arid areas of the Richtersveld
Richtersveld
The Richtersveld is a mountainous desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains, situated in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. It is full of changing scenery from flat sandy plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which...
and the Namib desert
Namib Desert
The Namib Desert is a desert in Namibia and southwest Angola that forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa. The name "Namib" is of Nama origin and means "vast place"...
around the South African-Namibian border. Treated as separate species, the three have been given different ratings on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
: 'vulnerable' for A. dichotoma, 'critically endangered' for A. pillansii and 'endangered' for A. ramossisima.
The three subspecies can be distinguished. In A. dichotoma subsp. pillansii, the inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s hang from below the lowest leaves, rather than growing erect. A. dichotoma subsp. ramosissima is considerably smaller - rarely reaching more than 2 m in height - and assumes a more shrub-like shape.
One of the few examples of spontaneous forests of A. dichotoma is the Quiver Tree Forest
Quiver Tree Forest
The Quiver Tree Forest is a forest and a well-known tourist attraction of southern Namibia. It is located about 14 km north of Keetmanshoop, on the road to Koës, in the Gariganus farm...
, about 14 km north of Keetmanshoop
Keetmanshoop
Keetmanshoop is a city in Karas Region, southern Namibia, lying on the Trans-Namib Railway from Windhoek to Upington in South Africa. It is named after Johann Keetman, a German industrialist and founder of the city....
, in Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. Another is located in the Northern Cape of South Africa at Gannabos. Known as Choje to the indigenous San
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
people, the Quiver tree gets its name from the their practice of hollowing out the tubular branches of Aloe dichotoma to form quiver
Quiver
A quiver is a container for arrows. Quivers have been traditionally made of leather, bark, wood, furs and other natural materials; modern quivers are often made of metal and plastic....
s for their arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
s. Modeling of Aloe dichotoma in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
has contributed to understanding the needs of protected areas in response to climate change. Modelled range declines in this species due to climate change have recently been confirmed by field surveys.
Aloe dichotoma is cultivated in the southwestern United States for use in landscaping. The slow growth rate and relative rarity of the plant make it a particularly expensive specimen.
See also
- Aloe pillansiiAloe pillansiiAloe pillansii is a synonym of Aloe dichotoma subsp. pillansii, also called Giant Quiver Tree or Bastard Quiver Tree. It is regarded as critically endangered....
(syn. for A. dichotoma subsp. pillansii) - Aloe ramosissimaAloe ramosissimaAloe ramosissima is a synomym for Aloe dichotoma var. ramosissima. The species is also called Maiden's Quiver Tree. Found in the arid Richtersveld region around the border of South Africa and Namibia, it is regarded as endangered, and is threatened by habitat loss...
(syn. for A. dichotoma subsp. ramosissima) - Aloe barberae