The cliffs on the way to Shuab beach of west Socotra have lots of interesting seemingly inaccessible locations for goats and thus the promise of untouched plants with healthy sizes.
This plant was growing out of the sheer cliff and was in fact not available to the goats, so it was a vital and blooming specimen to gaze upon. It was buzzing with this large species of insects, like this paper wasp (Belonogaster saussurei), and plenty of smaller ones.
This location was in no way out of reach for the goats! I found droppings absolutely everywhere, but fortunately also many relatively intact plants.
The plant looks like a mess of sticks, and has leaves so small I gave up finding any to photograph.
Endemic.
Last updated on 12 February 2022
