This is one of several endemic plant species that is threatened with extinction on Socotra. The main threat is the huge numbers of goats, and their never ending need for grasses and other plants when the grasses are exhausted. If the goats are not enough, the climate change has resulted in extremely destructive cyclones – […]
This specimen looks similar to ballochia rotundifolia, seen here, but the habit is quite different. This one is tall, perhaps 150 cm tall, with few branches, opposed to ballochia rotundifolia’s almost mat-forming growth with its dense network of branches. It rarely grows taller than half a meter when not browsed by goats. Goats do come […]
Endemic.
Endemic.
Endemic.
This is an inconspicuous plant when not in bloom. This specimen has been hit severely by the insatiable and ever present goats, but has been able to generate new growth after the winter rains. It is now a race against time and available water, as it could be eaten by the goats before it can […]
At first glance this looks like a stunted ballochia amoena, but the leaves are shaped differently. The leaves of ballochia amoena are linear, narrowly elliptic, and around 3 times longer than wide. The leaves of ballochia rotundifolia are oblong to orbicularand always less than twice as long as broad. Ballochia rotundifolia is a small shrub, […]
Native range is Tropical & South Africa to Arabian Peninsula, Comoros, Madagascar.
In years of drought the huge number of goats on Socotra will eat anything that will not cause discomfort or poisoning. In years with sufficient moisture, they will first and foremost eat grasses. This winter (2022/23) has seen a considerable amount of rain and thus excellent conditions for grasses and all flora. For this specimen […]
Endemic.
Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years! During an entire century this species will bloom only 8 times – that is how unique and rare these flowers are. For 11 years the plant is growing and in the 12th year it is all […]
A spectacular view of the Neelakurinji bloom in the Nilgiris! Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years! During an entire century this species will bloom only 8 times – that is how unique and rare these flowers are. For 11 years the plant […]
Very prominent against dark leaves and the rocks in UV. Endemic.
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
Mostly white in visible light but dark in UV.
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
This plant is one of many interesting species I found in a very small area in a valley at 320 meters altitude. A river runs through on the valley floor, supporting lots of more water demanding species, but just a few meters up the mountain slopes a rocky a harsher environment with lots of plant […]
Similar to trichocalyx orbiculatus which has orbicular leaves. Uncertain if this could be a variation of one species.
If you encounter a flowering Trichocalyx obovatus you will very likely see a Socotra Sunbird (Chalcomitra balfouri) visit for a sip of nectar, as I did here. The steep slopes of western Socotra provide shade for life on the ground for most of the morning, and the ground receives moisture from myriads of cracks channeling […]
Yet another excellent specimen of a plant species on Shuab beach of west Socotra. Non-glandular calyx and taller than 50 cm.
Yet another excellent specimen of a plant species on Shuab beach of west Socotra. Non-glandular hairs on calyx, and specimen taller than 50 cm.
In the middle of the beautiful Shuab beach there is a small brackish lake and a mangrove forest. From afar it looks lush, healthy and promising, but up close it is a another story. The forest seems unhealthy with lot of dead trees, as well as many cut hard by humans. I doubt this forest […]
Shiny and leathery leaves that have a very different underside. The amount of salt excreted is deposited on the underside of each leaf of these trees. A free desalination plant for humans in need of salt on their food.
The small mangrove forest in the middle of the Shuab beach provide soothing shade in the midday sun, and I was in luck as it was in bloom during my visit. With flowers come insects and I stuck around a while to enjoy them and the shade. Socotra is a windy island, and shooting a […]
Much more uniform in color in UV than in visible light – the white bands are missing completely. Endemic.
On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting flowers, and luckily some not destroyed by goats. In a few days this location would have been bone dry, and I found many signs of the coming dry season as many small plants were drooping from lack of […]
On the hills overlooking the Detwah lagoon on the west coast of Socotra I found many interesting flowers, and luckily some not destroyed by goats. In a few days this location would have been bone dry, and I found many signs of the coming dry season as many small plants were drooping from lack of […]
This is a species I found sporadically in the fields around SouthWild Pantanal. Native range is Mexico, Trinidad to south tropical America.
This is a species I found sporadically in the fields around SouthWild Pantanal. Native range is Mexico, Trinidad to south tropical America.
Just a couple of metres from the rooms of SoutWild Pantanal I found a group of plants with these beautiful flowers. In Pantanal you simply do not need to introduce popular plants in your garden – just invite some of the local flora, and you will have a self sustaining garden with flowers of different […]
Just a couple of metres from the rooms of SoutWild Pantanal I found a group of plants with these beautiful flowers. In Pantanal you simply do not need to introduce popular plants in your garden – just invite some of the local flora, and you will have a self sustaining garden with flowers of different […]
This is a species I found sporadically in the fields around SouthWild Pantanal. Native range is Mexico, Trinidad to south tropical America.
This is a vine growing very close to the river and I noticed it as it was hanging down toward the water. Native range is tropical South America.
Native range is Caribbean and Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia, .
Native range is Caribbean and Mexico to Venezuela and Bolivia, .