Socotra is home to least 9 endemic species of Boswellia, which is a spectacular feat! They are incredible survivalists and most of them cling to bare rock as this one is, halfway into a shallow cave. The foliage is lush and is a clear sign of recent rains. Yet it is perhaps their flowers that […]
A species with winding and twisting branches, with smooth, grey bark. Found throughout woodlands of Socotra up to near 1000 meter elevation. This tree was home to a large colony of bark snails (Achatinelloides). Endemic.
A Boswellia elongata clinging onto a cliff wall. It is a ground dwelling species, but where there’s a rule there’s an exception. It is one of 9 or more species of boswellia found on Socotra. Endemic. Elevation: 250 meters. This is the complete list of all the 10 Boswellia species found in the Socotra Archipelago: […]
Endemic.
The moon, two days to full, hanging above the crown of an old and damaged Boswellia elongata in Homhil. This is one of very few remaining trees of what was once a forest of Boswellia elongata. It is a sad state, and the future is uncertain. The damage to the crown is from past cyclones, […]
This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The distance between each tree is huge, compared to what it should be, and once was. Only photos from […]
This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The dead wood in the foreground is a fallen member of this forest, and in the background one that […]
This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The distance between each tree is huge, compared to what it should be, and once was. Only photos from […]
This is the crown of one of very few remaining trees of what once was a forest of Boswellia elongata her in Homhil. This is a mature tree (they live to little more than 100 years), reaching the end of its life, and thus Homhil will have one less seed disperser to secure the future […]
This is Homhil at its most beautiful – green and vibrant after the winter rains. Unfortunately this is but a faint echo of past glory, when the land was in fact a forest of Boswellia elongata. The distance between each tree is huge, compared to what it should be, and once was. Only photos from […]
One of at least 9 species of Boswellia found only on Socotra. The leaves are the smallest of the species and should be easy to distinguish. However, there are other species with similarly looking leaves, one is the Commiphora parvifolia. The easiest way to distinguish them is the habit – the overall shape or growth […]
When focusing on the leaves Commiphora parvifolia might resemble that of the Boswellia socotrana, but the leaves of the Boswellia socotrana are much longer with many more leaflets. Furthermore the shape of the tree (the habit) is very different than that of the Boswellia socotrana. Endemic.
A mature and healthy specimen of boswellia elongata, but alone and without any seedlings nearby. This lack of regeneration is a long standing problem all over Socotra as the goats eat all the seedlings, effectively preventing the next generation from establishing. Thus this mature tree will sooner, rather than later die of old age and […]
A beautiful specimen with lush foliage accessible to behold up close. Many of them them grow on vertical cliffs with very few ways to reach, so close encounter like this is most welcome. Some grow on hillsides, but getting close to the foliage is difficult as the trees are usually several meters tall with foliage […]
One of at 9 accepted species of Boswellia found only on Socotra, and in bloom. Unfortunately getting up close to their flowers is very hard as they are up high and out on a limb. Thus I have not experienced their scent. It is distinguished from the other species (bullata and ameero) with grayish or […]
This individual is vibrant and lush, a clear sign of recent rains. To those unfamiliar with boswellias it might appear as being pruned, as there are no thin branches from new growth. In temperate zones it is common to prune deciduous trees in parks and gardens (for instance Tilia cordata/europaea), resulting in thick and short […]
Socotra holds at least 9 endemic species of Boswellia, which is a spectacular feat! They are incredible survivalists and most of them cling to bare rock as this one is, halfway into a shallow cave. The foliage is lush and is a clear sign of recent rains. Yet it is perhaps their flowers that are […]
One of 9 accepted species of Boswellia found only on Socotra, and in bloom. Unfortunately getting up close to their flowers is very hard as they are up high and out on a limb. Thus I have not experienced their scent. It is distinguished from the other species (bullata and ameero) with grayish or bluish […]
A boswellia dioscoridis seedling – a rare sight on Socotra, as they are all eaten by the ever present and insatiable goats. Due to the goats this and all other boswellia species are under severe threat as they a re unable to regenerate. Without human intervetion these species will slowly go extinct. Fortunately there are […]
One of several species of trees that grow to a considerable size. The leaves are rather curled on this specimen, but others the foliage is uncurled and straight. This is a natural variation. Endemic.
Out on sea the temperature is balmy, but on land it’s a different matter. Close to noon, it must have been close to 40 celsius here on the slopes down to the brine water of Darwin’s Lake – scorchingly hot, despite a partly cloudy sky. Without frequent rain, the water will quickly evaporate and thus […]