All botanists, whether they are keen amateurs or seasoned career professionals, find that Namibia is one of the world’s most fascinating places to visit.
Within the country’s unique and mostly desert climate, all sorts of weird looking but indescribably resilient plants grow strong and healthy, against all of the odds.
The best known of the flora surviving in the harsh conditions of the desert is the Welwitschia.
It is not the most remarkable plant to look at, but it can live for thousands of years, making it a living fossil of sorts.
But while this plant is the most talked about and frequently mentioned in lists and guides about the plants of Namibia, there is another plant, a tree, which deserves some time in the spotlight.
The unique quiver tree is impossible to miss when you are driving around the country.
Quiver trees can be seen all over southern Namibia, and the habitat in which the tree thrives extends all the way down to the northern reaches of South Africa.
These one of a kind trees are full of character and have become one of Namibia’s most iconic plants.
If you are travelling to the country in the hope of seeing and learning more about the fascinating plants that play a vital role in keeping the desert eco-systems flourishing, this guide is for you.
What is special about the quiver tree?
You only need to take one look at a quiver tree, known locally in Namibia as a kokerboom, to know that it is no ordinary tree.
It’s actually a type of aloe, Aloe dichotoma, and its thick, branching trunk stores water like a living reservoir, which is why the plant is able to go for months with little to no hydration.
Its waxy, silver-grey bark also helps it to live in the dry heat of the Namibian desert.
From May to July, the trees are covered in bright yellow flowers that attract sunbirds, and when they bloom, the contrast of blue sky, ochre earth, and golden blossoms makes for some really iconic photos.
Another thing that makes it special is how the plant grows.
Its branches split in perfect symmetry, creating an umbrella shape that shades its own roots, pretty clever, right?
This natural geometry helps the quiver tree endure the intense sun and scarce rainfall, the very characteristics that the Namibian desert is well-known for.
These trees are capable of living for many hundreds of years. Although they don’t reach the old age of the Welwitschia, quiver trees have been known to live for 400 years or more.
Quiver trees are not only a special attraction for travellers, but they also hold a special meaning for hunter-gatherers from years gone by. These ingenious people would take the branches, hollow them out and use them as a quiver for their arrows, giving the tree its name.
Will I see the quiver tree on a Namibia safari?
While most people arrive in Namibia dreaming of seeing the desert adapted elephants and lions, or spending all of their time out in the desert, touring places like Sossusvlei and Damaraland, those who take a moment to look closer will find an entire world of interesting flora worth admiring.
If you are travelling in the southern areas of the country, you will, without a doubt,t see these magnificent trees.
Several Namibia safari routes pass through quiver tree habitats, and some lodges even build their decks around them, allowing guests to sip sundowners while watching the light shift across their sculpted trunks and succulent leaves.
A Namibia safari that includes a stop in quiver tree country adds something extra special to the trip and won’t take time away from seeing the country’s many other stunning attractions.
If you’re drawn to unique Namibia trees and succulents, you should consider adding a guided botanical walk to your itinerary.
Local guides can help you identify the different Namibian desert plants, and they will explain how each species, from the ghostly Aloe pillansii to the strange Welwitschia mirabilis, continues to grow beautifully in such a dry, unforgiving landscape.
Where in Namibia is the quiver tree?
The quiver trees in Namibia are most famously found about 17km outside of Keetmanshoop, in a place called the Quiver Tree Forest.
The Quiver Tree Forest is a protected area, and it is home to hundreds of these ancient specimens, which you’ll see scattered across the granite hills, growing alongside other less-interesting shrubs and grasses.
The forest looks almost alien at sunrise, when the light turns every branch into molten gold.
You can spend your time wandering between the trees, taking as many photos as you can. The forest is very accommodating to travellers, and while here you can also visit Giant’s Playground, a natural attraction of massive dolerite boulders that look as though they have been stacked by giants.
You can also find quiver trees near the Fish River Canyon and scattered throughout the south of the country, often standing solitary against the horizon like wise old guardians of the desert.
Visiting any of the areas known for being a quiver tree habitat is sure to excite you, especially if you are a photographer or a fan of botany.
What is the quiver tree’s scientific name?
The quiver tree’s scientific name is Aloe dichotoma.
The word “aloe” will tell you that the plant is a part of this genus of succulents, while the word “dichotoma” refers to its unique branching pattern. Each limb divides into two, again and again, creating its iconic silhouette look.
This tree’s biology, although you can’t tell by looking, is a wondrous example of nature’s ability to adapt to any condition.
Its fibrous wood and succulent leaves act as natural water tanks, allowing it to thrive where most other species would wither.
In our age of changing climates, the quiver tree is often studied by botanists looking for insights into drought resistance.
Is the quiver tree endangered?
While not critically endangered, the quiver tree is listed as vulnerable due to the now obvious changes in climate conditions.
Rising temperatures and even more erratic rainfall patterns have pushed its natural habitat further and further south, and younger trees are struggling to establish themselves in areas that once supported healthy groves.
Conservation groups in Namibia are working hard to protect quiver trees in Namibia, by raising awareness and encouraging sustainable eco-tourism.
If you want to play a role in helping the species survive while you are visiting Namibia, you can start by supporting responsible safari operators who help to ensure that these trees and other Namibia trees and desert flora are unharmed during a safari, so that they remain part of the landscape for generations to come.
Other Remarkable Plants in Namibia Worth Seeing
Travellers are often left surprised by the amount of flora they come across while driving through Namibia. In a place where you’d think no plant, or animal for that matter, would survived, there are a few species that absolutely thrive!
Aside from the quiver tree, you’ll come across a whole cast of other hardy, otherworldly plants in Namibia, such as:
1. Welwitschia mirabilis
If there were a prize for the world’s strangest plant, the Welwitschia mirabilis, which only grows in Namibia, would win hands down.
This living fossil has just two leaves that grow continuously for centuries, twisting and curling until they resemble ribbons of green leather.
2. The Bushman’s Candle (Sarcocaulon patersonii)
A waxy shrub, when it’s dry the stems can be lit like a candle, hence the name.
The Bushman’s Candle grows quite happily on rocky outcrops where little else dares to grow and it’s a favourite among photographers for its ghostly sheen.
3. The Elephant’s Foot (Pachypodium lealii)
Found in Namibia’s north-west, this bulbous tree has a swollen base that stores water.
When it blooms, white, star-shaped flowers burst from the top, contrasting beautifully with the rough bark.
The locals call it “halfmens” (half-human), and its sculptural form makes it one of the most photogenic Namibian desert plants.
4. The Hoodia Cactus (Hoodia gordonii)
Once used by the San people to stave off hunger during long hunts, the Hoodia is both practical and intriguing.
Though cactus-like, it’s actually a succulent, and it produces stunning pinkish flowers that smell… less than pleasant (let’s just say it’s popular with flies, not people.)
5. The Mopane Tree (Colophospermum mopane)
A staple of northern Namibia’s landscape, the Mopane is best known for its butterfly-shaped leaves that shimmer silver-green in the heat.
Its home to the famous mopane worm, a nutritious local delicacy, and it provides shade for countless animals on the savannah.
Visit a Real Desert Garden unlike Any Other and see the Quiver Tree for yourself.
Quiver trees grow slowly, often taking 20 to 30 years to reach maturity. Their longevity and patience mirror the timeless pace of the desert itself.
The Aloe pillansii, also known as the giant quiver tree, is among the rarest. Found mainly in southern Namibia, it’s even more threatened than Aloe dichotoma.
For the San people, quiver trees had practical and symbolic importance. They hollowed out the branches to make quivers for their arrows, hence the name. The tree also features in many local legends as a source of wisdom and endurance.
No, they’re also found in parts of South Africa, particularly the Northern Cape. However, Namibia remains the best place to see them in large numbers.
If you live in a dry, sunny climate, it’s possible. But quiver trees need sandy soil, good drainage, and plenty of light, they’re not fond of overwatering.
