Socotra is exceptionally diverse, and holds more than 300 species of plants endemic to the island, meaning they exist nowhere else on the planet. All of these species are at risk of becoming extinct. This species is an example of how critical it can become when people use a given species like there is no tomorrow.
Cadaba insularis is very slow-growing, and thus the wood is heavy and hard. Excellent building material, but on an island any given species will very quickly go extinct if there is no consideration for the natural world. In past years of drought locals have used them for fodder as well, so this species has been hit very hard.
There are less than 20 individuals known in the wild, and unfortunately there is so far no success in procreation. For now this species has not given us the understanding needed to make seeds germinate or for cuttings to grow, like the Boswellias do. One day, hopefully, we will break the code and save it from extinction.
This species is critically endangered.
Endemic.
Last updated on 10 March 2023
