Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. This is likely Cucumis prophetarum ssp dissectum, as it is more…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I've never seen it before, nor do I know if it's an endemic or not.


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

I don't know the color of the ripe fruit, but this one was swollen and seemed to be nearing it's final stages for seed dispersal.


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Less famous than the desert rose or bottle tree, but equally amazing with its oversized trunk compared to the tiny branches. The leaves can vary wildly on a…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

On the steep cliffs of west Socotra on the way to Shuab beach I found many interesting plants and some untouched by goats. This rather large specimen was still…


Cucumis prophetarum 2 UV

Cucumis prophetarum UV

Very interesting in UV light, as in visible it is all brightly colored! This is likely Cucumis prophetarum ssp prophetarum, as it is less lobed than the…


Cucumis prophetarum 2

Cucumis prophetarum

On the steep cliffs of west Socotra on the way to Shuab beach I found many interesting plants and some untouched by goats. This rather large specimen was still…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

A cucumber tree! Yet another strange plant found only on Socotra. This was the only specimen I found in this early stage of flowering, as well as a position…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

The leaves are rough, thick and spiny and can resemble geranium. A single tree can produce leaves with great variety in shape.


Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)

I didn't find any specimens with either fruits or flowers. Found near the beach of Detwah with many goats, so they might have eaten the flowers and fruits.…