This cache has been placed under a Shepherd’s Tree. This tree, together with the Quiver Tree and Camel Thorn Tree, are the most symbolic trees of the dry Northern Cape.
The shepherd's tree is the most common of the eight species in its genus and is usually found in the drier parts of southern Africa. It is often called the Tree of Life as it offers sustenance to both humans and animals and that being the reason for the name.
The Afrikaans name “Witgatboom” was given to the tree when the earliest settlers to the area found that the root of the tree could be used as substitute for coffee. In this part of South Africa coffee was also known as “gat” and the “wit” part of the name comes from the white colour of the trunk of the tree.
This is a small to medium-sized tree reaching heights of 7m. It has an attractive dense, round to spreading crown. The trunk is distinctly smooth and white or whitish grey with bare stems.
The flowers are yellowish green and heavily scented (July-Nov.) The species has a number of pollinators and is a source of food for various mammals, birds and butterflies. Livestock as well as other herbivores in savanna areas such as giraffe, gemsbok and kudu browse the tree. The tree is often a food plant for the larvae of butterflies.
The root was also pounded to make porridge. The root is also used to make a beer and to treat haemorrhoids. The leaves are nutritious and are often browsed by cattle, although the milk is then said to be tainted. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat eye infections in cattle. The fruits are used in traditional dishes and the flower buds as caper substitutes in pickles. If the wood is burnt, it is believed that cows will produce only bull calves.