Aloidendron ramosissimum green fruit

Aloidendron ramosissimum has many branches from low down, the distinctive characteristic of this tree aloe, captured in its specific name, ramus a Latin word meaning branch.

Thick and short yellow flowers are bunched on short racemes. This is a Richtersveld tree aloe that might not enjoy humanly induced globetrotting to places with unsuitable climates!

The fruit capsules each has three sections, as do those of all the aloes and many other genera related to the lilies; Aloidendron is a recent split from the genus Aloe. When ripe, these capsules release large numbers of flat, papery and light seeds that will take their chances on the wind. Successful ones will become the imposing tree sentinels that stand tall over the quiet Richtersveld landscape. All that lives here copes with unforgiving conditions that make the visitor marvel at the biology of tenacity.

The similarity between this plant and A. dichotomum is also captured in the local naming of them: quiver tree for A. dichotomum and maidens quiver tree for this one. Whether maidens ever used quivers for storing arrows remains a question; maybe the Amazons of the land Pontus in classic mythology?