Archive for 'Cucurbitaceae'

Sikkim plant (Momordica)

Sikkim plant (Momordica)

Elevation: 759 meters.

Socotra plant 41 (Cucurbitaceae)

Socotra plant 41 (Cucurbitaceae)

This is the only place I’ve encountered this species on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs and finds moisture from the water seeping out from cracks in the cliffs.

Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. This is likely Cucumis prophetarum ssp dissectum, as it is more lobed than the Cucumis prophetarum ssp prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

The entirety of this cucumber plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before, nor do I know if it’s an endemic or not.

Cucumis prophetarum

Cucumis prophetarum

I don’t know the color of the ripe fruit, but this one was swollen and seemed to be nearing it’s final stages for seed dispersal. The early stage of the fruit.

Dendrosicyos socotranus

Dendrosicyos socotranus

Less famous than the desert rose or bottle tree, but equally amazing with its oversized trunk compared to the tiny branches. The leaves can vary wildly on a tree. One branch had these extremely frizzy leaves resembling parsley, while the rest of the tree had broad, flat leaves. Endemic.

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 specimen was still in great shape and would perhaps be able to make ripe seeds before the lack of water completely suspends all life. This is likely Cucumis prophetarum […]

Cucumis prophetarum 2 UV

Cucumis prophetarum UV

Very interesting in UV light, as in visible it is all brightly colored! This is likely Cucumis prophetarum ssp prophetarum, as it is less lobed than the Cucumis prophetarum ssp dissectum

Cucumis prophetarum 2

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 specimen was still in great shape and would perhaps be able to make ripe seeds before the lack of water completely suspends all life. My focus on the plant […]

Dendrosicyos socotranus

Dendrosicyos socotranus

A cucumber tree! Yet another strange plant found only on Socotra. This was the only specimen I found in this early stage of flowering, as well as a position to look at it. These trees are after all tall when they bloom, and most grow in a location where there are no boulders or cliffs […]

Dendrosicyos socotranus

Dendrosicyos socotranus

The leaves are rough, thick and spiny and can resemble geranium. A single tree can produce leaves with great variety in shape.

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)

I didn’t find any specimens with either fruits or flowers. Found near the beach of Detwah with many goats, so they might have eaten the flowers and fruits.

Gurania makoyana UV

Gurania makoyana UV

No unusual patterns in UV light.

Gurania sp

Gurania sp

This is the second species of what seems like a cucumber plant. It too grows on the grounds of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Gurania sp

Gurania sp

This is the second species of what seems like a cucumber plant. It too grows on the grounds of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Gurania makoyana

Gurania makoyana

A cucumber-like plant I found on the path up from the river, and a few other places around the open areas around the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Here a Tettigonidae is paying a visit.

Gurania makoyana

Gurania makoyana

A cucumber-like plant I found on the path up from the river, and a few other places around the open areas around the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). One of the pollinators. A decorative plant worthy of a place in a garden, in my opinion. Unfortunately I did not find any with […]

Cayaponia espelina

Cayaponia espelina

As I got close to the Huanchaca Plateau I noticed many new types of plants compared to further down the slopes of the plateau, and it seemed to increase as I closed in on the plateau itself. Altitude: 795 metres. Native range is Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.

Cayaponia espelina

Cayaponia espelina

As I got close to the Huanchaca Plateau I noticed many new types of plants compared to further down the slopes of the plateau, and it seemed to increase as I closed in on the plateau itself. Altitude: 795 metres. Native range is Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.