Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails

You can find these dormant (aestivating) land snails (Achatinelloides) sporadically throughout Socotra, but find them covering an entire Socotra cucumber tree…


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

A very young Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) that has survived the insatiable appetite of the goats - only because it growing where they cannot…


Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

This is the only place I've encountered Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs of Socotra's northeast, and…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of cucumis prophetarum plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. Native range is Mauritania to Arabian Peninsula, West Asia to…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of cucumis prophetarum is really fascinating, and I've never seen it before, nor do I know if it's an endemic or not. Native range is Mauritania…


Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

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


Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)

Socotra cucumber tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) is less famous than the desert rose or bottle tree, but equally amazing with its oversized trunk compared to…


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 cucumis…