A specialist that thrives in the cracks of vertical cliffs around waterways. Their roots find their way deep down the cracks and find what they need to survive. As they are out of reach for the goats on the vertical cliff faces, they are common in the canyons and grow to their full potential, which […]
The Persian carpet flower can be quite difficult to find as many grow under the protection of a shrub, as this one is. But it is also found out in the open, where it is easily spotted when in bloom. The flowers are very large! Unfortunately I did not find one in bloom during this […]
The Persian carpet flower can be quite difficult to find as many grow under the protection of a shrub, as this one is. But it is also found out in the open, where it is easily spotted when in bloom. The flowers are very large! Unfortunately I did not find one in bloom during this […]
This is my second time on Socotra. I visited at the exact same time 8 years ago in 2015, and same thing – all the caralluma socotranas were past their blooming prime. I need to visit a couple of weeks earlier to see this species filled with flowers. Two flowers is not much, but at […]
The smaller plant species of Socotra are somewhat easier to find during flowering. But even then they can be tricky to find as they often grow in the shadow of rocks, as seen here, and in cracks. When not flowering they blend in so well that you might overlook them, especially during drought. This individual […]
The smaller plant species of Socotra are somewhat easier to find during flowering. But even then they can be tricky to find as they often grow in the shadow of rocks, as seen here, and in cracks. When not flowering they blend in so well that you might overlook them, especially during drought. Endemic. Elevation: […]
Without flowers it is very difficult to identify the species. Elevation: 612 meters.
The smaller plant species of Socotra are somewhat easier to find during flowering. But even then they can be tricky to find as they often grow in the shadow of rocks, and in cracks, as seen here. When not flowering they blend in so well that you might overlook them, in particular during drought. Endemic. […]
A most peculiar species that at this location was barely visible between the many rocks. Only when carefully and temporarily lifting one of the rocks was a large part oft the plant revealed, with a delicate and vibrant green coloration due to the lack of direct sunlight. Those few parts out in the sunlight were […]
The unmistakable fruit of the Socotran desert rose. I encountered plenty of fruits during this visit to Socotra, but only 2-3 with open follicles and dispersing the seeds.
This species is as iconic and well known as the dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), and every visitor would want a photo of one in bloom, like this one. It is found in enormous numbers, and is far from being threatened. Like so many other species on Socotra you might find individuals with no flowers […]
This is the iconic and endemic bottle tree, or desert rose of Socotra – Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum. When you find one in bloom like this one you simply cannot resist taking a closer look. It is an amazing sight to see the lushness and bright colors in a landscape of dryness – it’s like […]
What’s interesting with this landscape view of the bottle tree, is that the flowers appear same color in UV as the lichen on the rocks! Endemic.
Many species of plants on Socotra have evolved seed pods like this, and I don’t know why this is a design preferable here, as the content is dispersed by wind in any case.
This species is endemic to Socotra, meaning it grows only on this island! They come in so many shapes and sizes and sometimes resembles works of art – with or without flowers. Despite this it was not easy to find a specimen with a great shape and with flowers, as either I found amazing shapes […]
Besides the Dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), the Socotra bottle tree is the most iconic of the endemic plant species on the island. They can be seen in most vegetative stages, ranging from withering foliage, dormant to full regrowth or flowering. Due to Socotra’s diverse geology, there are countless microclimates around the island, providing favourable […]
A huge trunk with seemingly feeble branches – what a strange plant indeed. This adaptation means it can grow tender and mist leaves at any time – even at the height of the dry season. The trunk stores plenty of moisture for many lean times. Endemic
It’s amazing how this species is able to thrive on bare rock!
I found this species only in this location during my two week stay on Socotra. It grows in a crack in the rock face of the Kalesan gorge – out of reach for the goats and thus protected. But come the annual monsoons and it will be in a torrent of water and debris grinding […]
I found this species only in this location during my two week stay on Socotra. It grows in a crack in the rock face of the Kalesan gorge – out of reach for the goats and thus protected. But come the annual monsoons and it will be in a torrent of water and debris grinding […]
This flower is incredibly beautiful and one of two icons of Socotra, but in UV it has no surprises – ladd rather dark, and without any patterns not seen in visible light. Endemic.
Perhaps the most photographed and most famous of all plants on Socotra! Some grow to impressive sizes, while others are more modest – common is their ability to store water in their trunk, and thus you may see them in bloom long after the last rain. One part of the island you may see none […]
Very distinct seed pods! In fact everything about this plant is unmistakable – there is no need for flowers, or even seedpods to identify it.
The hairs on the leaves cast a whitish hue, which together with the heart-shaped makes this plant unmistakable in any vegetative state.
I found this plant in many locations around sea level, but only on the beach of Shuab in the west of Socotra did I find one with perfect flowers. Most other plants were either past bloom or had run out of water and were drooping.
Also this plant holds no secrets in the flowers in visible light that is revealed in UV light.
The protected areas of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is a treasure trove of plant species, and I was like a kid in a candy store! The number of plant species is enormous, and I am really saddened by the fact that perhaps 90% of the cerrado has been destroyed.
The protected areas of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is a treasure trove of plant species, and I was like a kid in a candy store!
The protected areas of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is a treasure trove of plant species, and I was like a kid in a candy store! The number of plant species is enormous, and I am really saddened by the fact that perhaps 90% of the cerrado has been destroyed.
The soil on this part of Pantanal (between Corumbá and Miranda) is in many places fine sand – just like a desert or a beach. Just after a couple of hundred metres on the private road leading to Pousada Xaraés you’ll encounter the deep sand – only passable by large trucks and 4x4s. It was […]
The soil on this part of Pantanal (between Corumbá and Miranda) is in many places fine sand – just like a desert or a beach. Just after a couple of hundred metres on the private road leading to Pousada Xaraés you’ll encounter the deep sand – only passable by large trucks and 4x4s. It was […]
This plant is popular with humans, and found in many gardens!
I spent very little time on the Cerrado or grassland sections of the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, but on my way back to the village of Florida I stopped a few times to shoot some of the more conspicuous plants.
I spent very little time on the Cerrado or grassland sections of the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, but on my way back to the village of Florida I stopped a few times to shoot some of the more conspicuous plants.
Common and widespread along the path to Roraima. Please help me classify it – leave a comment 🙂
This shrub was rooted in a crack in the sandstone in the middle of a brook. Please help me classify it – leave a comment 🙂