Archive for 'Gentianaceae'

Spurred Gentian (Halenia elliptica)

Spurred Gentian (Halenia elliptica)

Spurred Gentian is found in Sikkim’s temperate to alpine biomes to 4900 meters elevation. Elevation: 2775 meters. Native range is Central Asia to China and Himalaya.

Spurred Gentian (Halenia elliptica)

Spurred Gentian (Halenia elliptica)

Spurred Gentian is found in Sikkim’s temperate to alpine biomes to 4900 meters elevation. Elevation: 2775 meters. Native range is Central Asia to China and Himalaya.

Swertia hookeri

Swertia hookeri

Swertia hookeri is found in Sikkim’s temperate to subalpine biomes to 4300 meters elevation. Elevation: 4029 meters. Native range is Central & East Himalaya to Southeast Tibet.

Sikkim plant (Gentiana)

Sikkim plant (Gentiana)

Elevation: 3691 meters.

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

This is a species that is commonly found wherever there is water. Even though this individual appears to be growing straight of of the face of the rock, it has set root in a crack that water seeps through for an extended time after the winter rains. This one is in its absolute prime, and […]

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

This is a species that is commonly found wherever there is water. Even though this individual appears to be growing straight of of the face of the rock, it has set root in a crack that water seeps through for an extended time after the winter rains. This one is in its absolute prime, and […]

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

This is a species that is commonly found wherever there is water. Even though this individual appears to be growing straight of of the face of the rock, it has set root in a crack that water seeps through for an extended time after the winter rains. This one is in its absolute prime, and […]

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

This is a common species on Socotra, wherever there is water, which translates to cracks and crevices, often on vertical canyon walls (wadis) were there is water seepage, and alongside streams, springs and pools. If you take care and use your sense of smell, you will sense the sweet scent of it before you see […]

Persian Violet Exacum affine

Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

This is a common species wherever there is water, which translates to cracks and crevices, often on vertical canyon walls (wadis) were there is water seepage, and alongside streams, springs and pools. If you take care and use your sense of smell, you will sense the sweet scent of it before you see it. In […]

Exacum affine

Exacum affine

Mesmerizingly beautiful plants when in bloom! If the plant has found a better than average place to grow, and against all odds have not been stunted by goats, it will produce a huge number of flowers and that is truly a magnificent sight! Endemic.

Exacum affine

Exacum affine

These were located alongside the stream between the dunes of Arher in the north of Socotra. Endemic.

Exacum affine

Exacum affine

Very eye-catching flowers, so much so that quite a few know them from florists as a house plant. These were located alongside the stream between the dunes of Arher in the north of Socotra.. Endemic.

Exacum affine

Exacum affine

This one was growing alongside a small stream at around 300 meters above sea. Endemic.

Exacum affine UV

Exacum affine UV

No surprises in UV, except that all the parts of the flower appear uniformly dark and that the brightest areas to us are the darkest of all. Endemic.

Exacum affine

Exacum affine

This one was growing alongside a small stream at around 300 meters above sea. Endemic.

Gentiana sedifolia

Gentiana sedifolia

The Condoriri park was a treasure trove of plant species, and I wish I had several days here, as my few hours was far from enough to explore all the incredible miniature plants growing here. Altitude: 4608 metres. Native range is Venezuela to Bolivia. Central America and Mexico..

Gentiana sedifolia

Gentiana sedifolia

The Condoriri park was a treasure trove of plant species, and I wish I had several days here, as my few hours was far from enough to explore all the incredible miniature plants growing here. This species is very variable, so pattern varies. Altitude: 4608 metres. Native range is Venezuela to Bolivia. Central America and […]

Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea)

Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea)

Altitude 2700 metres. It has a very wide distribution.

Deer's Antlers (Halenia weddelliana)

Deer’s Antlers (Halenia weddelliana )

Looks at first glance like an orchid, but it’s not. It’s common at this altitude. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Bolivia to Colombia.

Gentiana sedifolia

Gentiana sedifolia

I found many in bloom here in the Antisana Ecological Reserve. Mesmerizing color and pattern that can trick your eye’s focus. This species is very variable, so pattern varies. Altitude 4200 metres. Native range is Venezuela to Bolivia. Central America and Mexico..

Gentianella cerastioides

Gentianella cerastioides

At first glance it resembles a Crocus. I was lucky to visit when in bloom, and they thrive here in the Antisana Ecological Reserve. Here it’ growing in a cushion of Azorella pedunculata (Apiaceae). Altitude 4200 metres. Native range is Colombia and Ecuador.

Symbolanthus elisabethae

Symbolanthus elisabethae

A large flower that is like a beacon of color in the greens of the montane forest, right next to the Roraima wall. It’s pollinated by birds. Native range is the Guyana Shield.

Celiantha imthurniana

Celiantha imthurniana

This plant grows close to the plateu of Roraima in the montane forest. It was raining on my way up, so photography was not an option, but I was in luck on my way down. I don’t recall seeing it on the top of Roraima, but I believe it’s also present there. Native range is […]

Rogersonanthus quelchii

Rogersonanthus quelchii

I didn’t find many of this shrub in bloom – either the flowers were messed up by insects and birds, or simply past blooming. Here you can see how a bird has opened up the flower to steal nectar, as it doesn’t want or know how to get it through the “front door”. How this […]

Helia alata

Helia alata

Grows alongside the path to Roraima. Native range is from Nicaragua to Ecuador to northern South America.

Curtia tenuifolia

Curtia tenuifolia

A very small flower and the plant itself is barly visible in between the grasses alongside the trail to Roraima. Native range is Mexico to tropical South America.