A vibrant and healthy acridocarpus socotranus with access to water throughout the year as it is on the banks of the Dirhur canyon where water flows all year. It has survived one of the deadliest of cyclones in 2015, which ravaged Dirhur and changed the landscape by the enormous amount of water that pushed huge boulders downstream and ripped off date groves and native plants from the face of the earth.
This is the finest specimen of this species I encountered on this trip.
It is easily recognized when in fruit or bloom, by the racemes of yellow flowers and fruits. The stalk of the inflorescence (peduncle) is reddish and densely hairy. When none of the two are present or the plant is young, it might be a bit more challenging to recognize it. However, the evergreen and leathery and veiny leaves are quite distinct for this species.
I have also found that young plants in sub-optimal conditions will sometimes produce a flat inflorescence where each flower is radiating outwards instead of upwards.
Endemic.
Elevation: 284 meters.
Last updated on 8 November 2024
