Boswellia popoviana is found in few and isolated areas where they grow with other species of Boswellia like Boswellia scopulorum. This occurs in a small area of the northeast Socotra, where they have found refuge on steep cliffs and huge boulders, inaccessible to the goats. For many of Socotra’s Boswellia species, the cliffs are their only home, as there the goats are unable to eat them.
22 October 2023 cyclone Tej hit Socotra, and with it extreme amounts of rain inundated every corner of the island. Almost two months later I am met with a green island where every species of plant is thriving and growing to their potential. The boswellias are no exception, all with shoots and fresh foliage, some species, like the Boswellia popoviana and scopulorum, with flowers! I found no flowers or seeds on any of the boswellia nana I encountered.
Elevation: 139 meters.
There are at least 9 species of Boswellia on Socotra, and they are all endemic.
This is the complete list of all the 10 Boswellia species found in the Socotra Archipelago:
Boswellia ameero
Boswellia asplenifolia
Boswellia bullata
Boswellia dioscoridis
Boswellia elongata
Boswellia nana
Boswellia popoviana
Boswellia scopulorum
Boswellia socotrana
Found only on the island of Samha:
Boswellia samhaensis
In addition there are numerous hybrids and varieties that will keep botanists busy.
Read more:
The challenges in seed regeneration of the endemic Boswellia species on Socotra.
Last updated on 18 June 2024
