Archive for 'Moraceae'

Roxburgh Fig (Ficus auriculata)

Roxburgh Fig (Ficus auriculata)

The Roxburgh Fig is found in Sikkim’s subtropical biome. Elevation: 1525 meters. Native range is North East Pakistan to South China and Malaysian Peninsula.

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

This is a species that is quite hard to get up and close with as it is a vertical cliff specialist. This was no exception, except that there was a way for me to climb to it without taking a big risk. The foliage of this individual is wide, shiny and vibrant, a sign of […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

This is a species that is quite hard to get up and close with as it is a vertical cliff specialist. This was no exception, except that there was a way for me to climb to it without taking a big risk. The foliage of this individual is wide, shiny and vibrant, a sign of […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

This is a species that is quite hard to get up and close with as it is a vertical cliff specialist. This was no exception, except that there was a way for me to climb to it without taking a big risk. The foliage of this individual is wide, shiny and vibrant, a sign of […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

A vertical cliff specialist! Getting up close to one of these is for the most part difficult to impossible, as is the case here. They are often found in groups where you’ll see them ranging from tiny seedlings to fully mature giants. During the dry season it could easily be mistaken for the Socotra bottle […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

If you are near a vertical cliff and see lots of Socotra bottle trees (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum) you should take a closer look, as they could be the Socotran fig. During the dry season it could easily be mistaken for the Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum), but when with leaves they are […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

A vertical cliff specialist! Getting up close to one of these is for the most part difficult to impossible, as is the case here. They are often found in groups, as seen here, where you’ll see them ranging from tiny seedlings to fully mature giants. During the dry season it could easily be mistaken for […]

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

Socotran Fig (Dorstenia gigas)

A very young individual, with very little reserves to lean on as the moisture withdraws. The leaves turn autumn red and wither, leaving an inconspicuous plant in wait for the next trigger to continue its growth to a giant. It grows very little per year. Compared to the mature giants of the species (reaching over […]

Ficus vasta

Ficus vasta

Very few plant species on Socotra grow such large leaves as the ficus vasta. Fully grown it is also one of the largest of the trees on Socotra. In the dry season this is a tree without leaves, as it is deciduous. For the time being this one has sufficient moisture from the vertical cliffs […]

Ficus vasta

Ficus vasta

Very few plant species on Socotra grow such large leaves as the ficus vasta. Fully grown it is also one of the largest of the trees on Socotra. In the dry season this is a tree without leaves, as it is deciduous. For the time being this one has sufficient moisture from the vertical cliffs […]

Ficus vasta

Ficus vasta

This looks innocent, but is the beginning of a slow and certain death of this dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari). It started with a seed left here in a bird’s dropping. The seed germinated, and slowly started it’s sinister journey to dominate this unsuspecting tree until it is dead. I don’t know how many years […]

Wonderboom Fig (Ficus salicifolia)

Wonderboom Fig (Ficus salicifolia)

Like so many plant species on Socotra, this species can get a foothold on bare rock!

Strangler Fig (Ficus americana)

Strangler Fig (Ficus americana)

The way the the strangler figs spread the constrictive “tentacles” around the palm’s trunk is as artistic to the casual viewer as it’s deadly to the host. This tree is out in the open, with plenty of light, which sometimes saves the tree, as light and soil is what the fig requires, it should not […]

Strangler Fig (Ficus americana)

Strangler Fig (Ficus americana)

I found a great number of strangler figs on palm trees during my stay at Pousada Xaraés. The fig seemed specialized on palm trees – like a subspecies, but I’m unable to find confirmation for this. This individual is growing around a tree on lower ground, and will be way under water during the wet […]