I took the photograph that provided the reference for the original watercolour of this painting in the Northern Cape. The Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma or to give it its new Latin name Aloidendron dichotomum) is probably the most spectacular aloe species found in South Africa because of its sculptural form. Growing in the dry desert and semi-desert regions of the Northern Cape and southern Namibia, it is in fact not a tree at all but actually a giant succulent. The Quiver Tree gets its name from the San people’s practice of hollowing out the tubular branches to form quivers for their arrows. The thick succulent leaves of the Quiver Tree grow in a rosette up to 6 metres above the ground to escape the worst of the devastating desert heat; each at the end of a stumpy branch. The branches are thickly covered in a fine white powder which reflects the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it and so helps keep the plant cool. The branches and trunk are filled with a soft fibre that can hold a great quantity of water and from May to July, the trees are covered in bright yellow flowers. Medicinally, the roots have been used to treat asthma and tuberculosis.

This signed, limited edition Fine Art print from an original watercolour is on Archival 300 GSM 100% cotton paper. It will delivered rolled into a tube, ready for framing. Free worldwide shipping.

Size: 595mm x 420mm (this is the full size of the paper.)

360mm x 290mm (this is the size of the Quiver Tree.)

Limited Edition of 50 Fine Art Prints.