Archive for 'Poaceae'

Dactyloctenium aristatum

Dactyloctenium aristatum

A vibrant and healthy specimen of this grass species found in the sands of Arher. Many species found elsewhere on Socotra grow to their full potential by the sand dunes of Archer as there is seepage of water and shadow from the tall cliffs here.

Dactyloctenium aristatum

Dactyloctenium aristatum

A a slender but healthy specimen of this grass species found in the sands of Arher. Many species found elsewhere on Socotra grow to their full potential by the sand dunes of Archer as there is seepage of water and shadow from the tall cliffs here. It’s also found in north east Africa, Arabia, Pakistan […]

Melanocenchris jacquemontii

Melanocenchris jacquemontii

Socotra hosts a large number of grass species, and after the winter rains you can behold gorgeous fields of lush grasses. Albeit for a short while, as the goats will eat the grasses before any other group of plants. This species has found its way from India and Pakistan.

Cyperus conglomeratus

Cyperus conglomeratus

This is high up on one of the dunes in Arher on the northeast coast of Socotra. This was the only one of its species here, and it has survived change in a way that’s quite remarkable. For one this place is sandblasted for months, during which this is not a place even for humans. […]

Cyperus conglomeratus

Cyperus conglomeratus

This is high up on one of the dunes in Arher on the northeast coast of Socotra. This was the only one of its species here, and it has survived change in a way that’s quite remarkable. For one this place is sandblasted for months, during which this is not a place even for humans. […]

Cyperus conglomeratus

Cyperus conglomeratus

An amazing plant that can survive being completely covered by sand for long periods. During my visit the plant was in a situation completely opposite – the roots were out in the open, and it looked like long tentacles. Yet it was vital and in full bloom! The root system seems extraordinarily wide and deep […]

Cortaderia sp

This species of grass is more than 2 metres tall, and when they grow close like this, it’s like walking in a forest of grass!

Paja brava (Festuca orthophylla)

This is perhaps the most abundant and eye-catching grass on the Altiplano. Even outside the flowering season they are incredibly decorative, and in particular those growing in solitude are really amazing. Even though the grass is incredibly tough, pointy and to me very dry, it’s food for many of the grass-eaters including the llamas. Here […]

Altiplano plant 18

Grows on the salty portions of the rim of the Salar de Uyuni that receives fresh water sporadically. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂 Altitude: 3669 metres.

Altiplano plant 18

Grows on the salty portions of the rim of the Salar de Uyuni that receives fresh water sporadically. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂 Altitude: 3669 metres.

Bamboo shoot

Fully grown this species is immensely long and slender, and looked like enormous fishing rods.