Apocynaceae | Morten Ross

Archive for 'Apocynaceae'

Ceropegia pubescens

Ceropegia pubescens is found in Sikkim’s subtropical to temperate biomes to 3200 meters elevation. Elevation: 1880 meters. Native range is Nepal to South Central China and Myanmar.

Miniature Wax Plant (Hoya bella)

The Miniature Wax Plant is found in Sikkim’s subtropical biome. Elevation: 1704 meters. Native range is Assam to Myanmar.

Hoya acuminata

Hoya acuminata is found in Sikkim’s temperate to 2700 meters elevation. Elevation: 1651 meters. Native range is East Himalaya to Myanmar.

Miniature Wax Plant (Hoya bella)

The Miniature Wax Plant is found in Sikkim’s subtropical biome. Elevation: 1525 meters. Native range is Assam to Myanmar.

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 […]

Cryptolepis socotrana

A specialist that thrives in the cracks of vertical cliffs around waterways, as seen here in Kalesan gorge. 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 […]

Persian Carpet Flower (Edithcolea grandis)

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 […]

Persian Carpet Flower (Edithcolea grandis)

Cynanchum socotranum

Growing with Cissus subaphylla – the flat stemmed species. Endemic.

Caralluma socotrana

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 […]

Echidnopsis socotrana

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 […]

Echidnopsis socotrana

Socotra plant 34 (Echidnopsis sp)

Without flowers it is very difficult to identify the species. Elevation: 612 meters.

Echidnopsis socotrana

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. […]

Cynanchum socotranum

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 […]

Socotran Desert Rose (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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.

Socotran Desert Rose (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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 […]

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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 […]

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum) UV

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.

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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.

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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 […]

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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 […]

Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum

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

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

It’s amazing how this species is able to thrive on bare rock!

Cryptolepis socotrana

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 […]

Cryptolepis socotrana

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum) UV

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.

Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)

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 […]

Pergularia tomentosa

Very distinct seed pods! In fact everything about this plant is unmistakable – there is no need for flowers, or even seedpods to identify it.

Pergularia tomentosa

The hairs on the leaves cast a whitish hue, which together with the heart-shaped makes this plant unmistakable in any vegetative state.

Pergularia tomentosa

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.

Pergularia tomentosa UV

Also this plant holds no secrets in the flowers in visible light that is revealed in UV light.

Minaria acerosa

Native range is Brazil to Argentina.

Rauvolfia weddeliana

Native range is central Brazil to Paraguay.

Rauvolfia weddeliana

Native range is central Brazil to Paraguay.

Rhabdadenia pohlii

Notice the indentations on the buds! Native range is South America.

Rhabdadenia pohlii

Native range is South America.

Thevetia bicornuta

This plant is popular with humans, and found in many gardens! Native distribution is Bolivia, Brazil to Argentina.

Prestonia erecta

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. Native range is Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.