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Maidens quiver tree8/12/2023 Giant quiver trees at Cornell’s kop in the Richtersveld (photo D.P. Several factors are linked to the decline of this species, namely low recruitment, restricted distribution range, highly localised habitat, illegal collecting, habitat loss through mining, drought stress from climate change and overgrazing by livestock. Estimates for South African plants vary from less than 200 to 1200 individual trees. There are probably fewer than 3000 individual trees alive in the wild. Giant quiver tree in the Richtersveld (photo P.C. Winter rainfall of the areas are around 110 mm or less per annum. This magnificent tree is mostly restricted to the hot and arid Richtersveld and southern Namibia. The yellow inflorescences grow horizontally from below the leaf rosettes. It is a spectacular tree with a single stem and a few large, robust branches that support the rosettes of leaves on the ends of the stem. The common name giant quiver tree refers to the fact that the tree is gigantic(up to 10 m in height). The giant quiver tree is one of the rarest aloe species in southern Africa and was classified as an endangered species on the Red List of South African plants. Maiden’s quiver tree in the Richtersveld (photo D.P. Like the giant quiver tree, the Maiden’s quiver tree is restricted to the very arid Richtersveld and southern Namibia. Maiden’s quiver tree refers to its smaller size compared to the quiver tree and the species name ramosissimummeansmany branches. The most distinctive feature of this tree is the profusely branched stem, in contrast with the other two quiver tree species that have single robust stems. They are slow- growing trees and may live for several hundred years. This species occurs in the desert and semi-desert rocky areas of Namaqualand and Bushman land. Great quantities of water are stored in the stem and branches to sustain the plants through dry periods. The species name dichotomum refers to the branches that are forking and dividing in pairs. The stems of dead trees were also hollowed out and used as natural fridges, because cool air is formed as air filters through the fibres of the bark. He noticed that the natives use the hollowed-out branches to make quivers for their arrows, and this custom leads to the name quiver tree. The first record of a quiver tree was in 1685 by Simon van der Stel. van Rensburg).Ī dichotomum is the best-known quiver tree, as this unique succulent often occurs in landscape photographs of Namaqualand. Quiver tree or Kokerboom Inflorescence of a Quiver tree (photo D.P. In South Africa there are three quiver tree species: the well-known quiver tree ( Aloidendron dichotomum), the shrub-like maiden’s quiver tree ( Aloidendron ramosissimum) and the critically endangered giant quiver tree ( Aloidendron pillansii). Formerly quiver trees were part of the genus Aloe, but a new genus Aloidendron was created for tree aloes. Some of the most impressive plant species are the quiver trees. The resulting micro-climate provides ideal conditions for germination.South Africa is well known for its remarkable plant diversity and extraordinary plant species. Location: on the windowsill or in a small greenhouse in partial shade, daytime temperatures at about 73-83 F, somewhat lower at night at 68-72 F. More watering is not required because no moisture evaporates through the ziplock bag. įill in the ziplock bag as much tap water with a few drops of universal fertilizer, so that after the absorption of the substrate a few mm of water remain on the bottom. Then put the plastic pot in a ziplock bag - with a pot size of 6 cm, a ziplock bag of size 12 x 17 cm is recommended. Bigger seeds need to be covered with the mineral soil, small seeds should remain on the surface. Please sow the seeds on the mineral soil. The seeds are sown in mineral-based cat litter (no clumping litter) or perlite (germ-free) in plastic-pots. There is no pre-treatment of the seeds required. Germination instructions Aloe ramosissima - maiden quiver tree:
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