Aloidendron dichotomum (Aloe dichotoma)

From the Namib and Karoo

Aloidendron dichotomum, also known by the older name Aloe dichotoma, comes from the dry landscapes of Namibia and South Africa’s Northern Cape. It grows in desert and dry scrub, and plants near the coast can get moisture from frequent ocean fog.

In South Africa, the species is classed as Vulnerable. Climate change and wild collecting put pressure on wild trees. It is listed in CITES Appendix II, which controls international trade. The common name comes from the traditional use of hollowed branches by San people as quivers.

Container care as a quiver tree matures

• Sun: Put the quiver tree in the sunniest position available. A sunny conservatory or large south-facing window helps young plants stay sturdy and compact.
• Watering: When the plant is growing, soak the compost thoroughly and let it dry fully before watering again. Wait longer before watering when growth slows.
• Temperature: Keep a potted plant above about 10°C. A bright, warm place suits it, and the potting mix should stay dry for longer in cooler rooms.
• Humidity: The quiver tree is comfortable in dry household air. Keep air circulating around the trunk and leaf crowns.
• Potting mix: Use a gritty blend that drains quickly, with pumice, lava rock or coarse grit. A deep, heavy pot supports the growing trunk and helps keep the plant steady.
• Feeding: When you see new growth, use a weak balanced succulent fertiliser only occasionally. Because it grows slowly, it needs little fertiliser.
• Repotting: Repot when roots have filled the container or the plant becomes unstable. Increase pot size gradually, keep the trunk at the same depth as before and handle the roots carefully.

Three warning signs on a quiver tree

• New growth becomes thin or the stem leans strongly towards the window: Light is too weak. Give it more direct sun gradually and turn the container from time to time as new growth forms.
• The trunk base becomes dark, wet-looking or soft: The base of the trunk is rotting. Remove the tree from the wet potting mix and check the trunk base. With a disinfected blade, remove each soft or dark patch until the trunk feels firm. Discard the damaged material, let the cut dry and repot in fresh gritty mix.
• Shell-like pests settle on leaves or branches: Scale insects may be present. Keep the quiver tree separate, wipe away visible scale and use a product labelled for scale. Repeat the treatment only as directed on the label.

Aloidendron dichotomum (Aloe dichotoma) is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and handle the leaf tips carefully.
• The leaf latex contains anthraquinone glycosides that can irritate skin and the digestive tract. Rigid tips and toothed margins can also scratch or puncture.
• Swallowing the latex may cause an upset stomach, while skin contact can cause irritation. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

Who first published Aloidendron dichotomum, and what does the name mean?

Aloidendron combines Aloe with Greek dendron, meaning tree. The paired forms dichotomum and dichotoma both mean divided or forked in two and refer to the repeated branching of the crown.

Ronell Renett Klopper and Gideon F. Smith established the genus Aloidendron in 2013 in Phytotaxa, volume 76, page 9.

Francis Masson first described it as Aloe dichotoma in 1776 in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, volume 66, page 310. Ronell Renett Klopper and Gideon F. Smith later placed it in Aloidendron as Aloidendron dichotomum in 2013 in Phytotaxa, volume 76, page 9.