Trees

Quiver Tree Forest
“Kokerbooms (Aloe dichotoma), or quiver trees, are widespread throughout southern Namibian.  They belong to the aloe family and can grow to heights of 8m. The name is derived from their lightweight branches, which were formerly used as quivers by the San hunters; they would remove the fibrous heart of the branch, leaving a strong, hollow tube.  The slow-growing kokerbooms occur mainly on rocky plains or slopes–they need rocks to anchor their shallow root systems–storing water in their succulent leaves, and fibrous trunk and branches.  Water loss through transpiration is prevented by a waxy coating on the leaves and branches.  In June and July, their yellow blooms appear, lending bright spots of color to the desert.” –Lonely Planet Namibia