Aloidendron ramosissimum

Some may think that the Richtersveld isn’t that much known for its mountains. Complex geological action over many millennia has, however, resulted in a variety of eye-catching montane formations with unusual names like the VanderSterr-Stinkfonteinberge (a tall range), Cornell’s Kop (the highest peak of the area), the Rosyntjieberg and Tatasberg.

This mountainous desert with its undulations and occasional deep gorges, not far from the Gariep River, is in season transformed into a flower covered pageant by the winter rain, even though there may not be that much of it. For the rest of the year it stoically holds on, just waiting in desiccated brown garb.

Three quiver trees of the Aloidendron genus, Aloidendron dichotoma (quiver tree), A. pillansii (giant quiver tree) and A. ramosissima (maiden’s quiver tree) adorn this landscape. In this picture a mature A. ramosissima shrub makes most of what is on offer. The biggest shady spot around, albeit not tree size, will attract human and animal on most days of the year in this environment. The quiver trees are also tree aloes, all of which have been moved from the Aloe genus to Aloidendron (Williamson, 2010).

(More photos of all three these quiver trees are posted in other Albums of this Site. Use the Search Box to find them.)