Attempts to heal the Giant Quiver Tree
The Giant Quiver Tree (Aloidendron pilansii) is the rarest of all tree Aloes and the most iconic Aloe of the harsh semi-desert landscapes found in South Africa’s northern Cape Province and southern Namibia. In cultivation these trees like other Aloes, often suffer from diseases such Aloe Cancer, Root Rot, Aloe Rust and several others which necessitate immediate treatment to reduce the spread of the infection and save plants from dying entirely.
In this photograph, horticulturalist Maria van der Westhuizen is assisted by technical assistant Willem Kok, carefully treating an infected Giant Quiver tree at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden. This delicate work is an essential part of plant care which require ongoing monitoring to ensure the long-term survival of living collections in the cultivated garden and nursery facilities.
The Giant Quiver tree is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and horticulturists with their technical support staff at botanical gardens such as SANBI’s Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden and SANPark’s Richtersveld Botanical Garden, are making concerted efforts to grow and protect these remarkable plants in their ex-situ collections to try and facilitate the long-term survival of plants left in the wild.
The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden extends an invitation to anyone interested in becoming a volunteer as there are several activities where people of all ages can become involved with the operations of the garden. For more information on how to become a volunteer, feel free to send an email to: karoo-desert-nbg@sanbi.org.za