Quiver tree forest is located approximately 14 km north-east of Keetmanshoop, on the way to the small village of Koës in southern Namibia.
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| cowbird.com |
Quiver tree is actually not a tree, but rather a type of aloe plant that can reach treelike proportions in 7 - 9 meters high. It has sturdy stalk, which can grow up to one meter in diameter. Crohn's is made up of numerous branched processes.
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Each branch is topped by a spiral dense and lush sheets, typical of aloe. In contrast to the scaly surface of the caudex, branches are absolutely smooth and coated with a thin layer of an off-white powder, able to reflect the sun's rays. In the period from June to August, when winter comes, a quiver tree blooms bright yellow, attracting many birds and tourists in the southern hemisphere.
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| fotolibra.com |
The tree is called a quiver, because indigenous people have long been made of the branches of Aloe their quivers. The quiver tree is not really wooden, but soft flesh can easily be used for different purposes. One end of the hollow stem is closed with a piece of skin and is used to hold arrows. Local residents have also used the tree to store food and water. Aloe fibrous flesh has a cooling effect, since air permeability. This allowed the locals to preserve perishable foods for a longer time.
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| laurabutephotography.com |
Apart from their historical use by indigenous people, these trees are of great ecological importance. Many insects, animals and birds flock to the rich nectar of flowers. The tree also provides a nesting place for a large number of weaver birds. Bird creates a nest among the branches that protect chicks from high temperatures and from predators. Although this unique forest is not included in the list of the largest forests in the world, it is one of the most outstanding attractions of Namibia.