Archive for 'Solanaceae'

Bitter Tomato (Solanum incanum)

Bitter Tomato (Solanum incanum)

The bitter tomato is found throughout Socotra, from sea-level to well above 700 meters. Found in most of Africa, Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and India Elevation: 388 meters.

Lycium sokotranum

Lycium sokotranum

This heavily pruned individual is the result of never-ending browsing by the goats. Without the goats this species will grow to 2 meters or more. It looks pretty perhaps, but it will never reach its potential with the enormous number of goats roaming freely. Endemic. Elevation: 90 meters.

Lycium sokotranum

Lycium sokotranum

This heavily pruned individual is the result of never-ending browsing by the goats. Without the goats this species will grow to 2 meters or more. It looks pretty perhaps, but it will never reach its potential with the enormous number of goats roaming freely. Endemic. Elevation: 90 meters.

Lycium sokotranum

Lycium sokotranum

Many species grow in very dissimilar conditions on Socotra, and as such you can see a species withered in one location, in bloom (like here) or fruiting in another. In addition to this, many species are heavily browsed by goats in particular, which means some individuals can be so heavily browsed that you think it […]

Withania riebeckii

Withania riebeckii

High above the Detwah lagoon of western Socotra I found a favourite spot just under the cave. Here the landscape was supporting a range of plants as the high cliffs and outcrops lend a hand in sun protection during the first half of the day. Endemic.

Withania riebeckii

Withania riebeckii

Fruit turns red when ripe. Endemic.

Withania riebeckii

Withania riebeckii

High above the Detwah lagoon of western Socotra I found a favourite spot just under the cave. Here the landscape was supporting a range of plants as the high cliffs and outcrops lend a hand in sun protection during the first half of the day. This plant has small and inconspicuous flowers and at first […]

Wolf Apple (Solanum lycocarpum)

The protected areas of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is a treasure trove of plant species, and I was like a kid in a candy store! The number of plant species is enormous, and I am really saddened by the fact that perhaps 90% of the cerrado has been destroyed. The The fruit of this […]

Wolf Apple (Solanum lycocarpum) UV

Darker in UV compared to visible light.

Wolf Apple (Solanum lycocarpum)

The protected areas of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park is a treasure trove of plant species, and I was like a kid in a candy store! The number of plant species is enormous, and I am really saddened by the fact that perhaps 90% of the cerrado has been destroyed. The The fruit of this […]

Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium)

This plant was growing on the side of Cuiaba river – very close to the water, and will likely be submerge in the coming weeks. Also called Fire-and-Ice plant, Litchi Tomato, or Morelle de Balbis.

Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium)

This plant was growing on the side of Cuiaba river – very close to the water, and will likely be submerge in the coming weeks. Also called Fire-and-Ice plant, Litchi Tomato, or Morelle de Balbis.

Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium)

Looks edible and tempting – is it? This plant was growing on the side of Cuiaba river – very close to the water, and will likely be submerge in the coming weeks. Also called Fire-and-Ice plant, Litchi Tomato, or Morelle de Balbis.

Solanum acerifolium

My last day at Pousada Xaraés, and finally some rain! Not torrential, but at least sufficient to get the ground wet and muddy in some places. As I’m soon to leave, I stay close to the buildings and find lots of plant species new to me. This plant has big spines high on its agenda, […]

Solanum acerifolium

My last day at Pousada Xaraés, and finally some rain! Not torrential, but at least sufficient to get the ground wet and muddy in some places. As I’m soon to leave, I stay close to the buildings and find lots of plant species new to me.

Solanum acerifolium

My last day at Pousada Xaraés, and finally some rain! Not torrential, but at least sufficient to get the ground wet and muddy in some places. As I’m soon to leave, I stay close to the buildings and find lots of plant species new to me.

Lycium humile

Grows on the salty portions of the rim of the Salar de Uyuni that receives fresh water sporadically. Altitude: 3669 metres.

Lycium humile

Grows on the salty portions of the rim of the Salar de Uyuni that receives fresh water sporadically. Altitude: 3669 metres.

Fabiana imbricata

Fabiana imbricata

Grows on the slopes of the Cerro Tunupa. Altitude: 3989 metres.

Fabiana imbricata

Fabiana imbricata

Grows on the slopes of the Cerro Tunupa. Altitude: 3989 metres.

Lycium chanar

Growing on the islands in the Salar de Uyuni. Altitude: 3716 metres.

Lycium chanar

Growing on the islands in the Salar de Uyuni. Altitude: 3716 metres.

Solanum quitoense

A very hairy plant – native to Ecuador and named naranjilla. Altitude 2111 metres.

Solanum quitoense

The fruit is edible and I have had many naranjilla smoothies in Ecuador – one of my favourites! Altitude 2111 metres.

Solanum quitoense

Altitude 2111 metres.

Browallia speciosa

Altitude 2070 metres.

Browallia speciosa

Located in dense and dark jungle on the way down to the river Cosanga, with minimal light reaching the plant. Altitude 2070 metres.

Red Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

Red Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

Looks like a wild mango, but it’s far from it! Altitude 3083 metres.

Red Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

Red Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

An incredibly large flower which attracts insects in droves, especially small flies inhabit the flower for the duration of its flowering period. I saw most of them had a ring of flies sitting inside. It is a great combination of safety, food and insulation against the elements. Although this is a wild and native plant […]