morten ross - sharing my experience of the natural world
Strandnellik (Armeria maritima)
Årets kalde vinter og vår har tydeligvis vært ideell for strandnelliken, for jeg kan ikke huske å ha sett en så fantastisk blomstring som i år! Hver eneste plante har produsert blomsterstander. Selv om det har vært lite regn har de kalde nettene og kjølige dagene sørget for mindre uttørking enn ellers og med det […]
Gjøkesyre (Oxalis acetosella)
Gjøkesyre er en hardfør plante som trives i lysfattige skogbunner og er lett å kjenne igjen. Her vokser den i et dalsøkk med dype torvmoser og masse mygg. Naturlig utbredelse i Europa til Japan.
Myrfiol (Viola palustris)
Myrfiolen vokser i store og tette bestander langs elven som renner ut i Sjølitjernet i Skogbygda. Faktisk kan jeg ikke huske å ha sett så store bestander av myrfiol tidligere. Naturlig utbredelse i subarktisk Amerika, vest og nordvestlige USA, Marokko og Europa til vestlige sibir.
Bekkeblom (Caltha palustris)
Bekkeblom vokser gladelig i dypt vann, og her har den funnet seg en gjørmete plass som grunnet langvarig tørke ikke lenger er under vann. Dette er er gjørmete sedimenter langs elven som renner ut i Sjølitjernet i Skogbygda. Naturlig utbredelse i subarktiske og tempererte nordlige halvkule.
Hvitlyng (Andromeda polifolia)
At hvitlyngen er en myrbunden art viser seg tydelig her, hvor røttene ligger dypt under vannoverflaten. Naturlig utbredelse i subarktiske og tempererte nordlige halvkule.
Hvitlyng (Andromeda polifolia)
Finner du en myr, finner du mest sannslynlig også en hvitlyng. Den er spesielt vakker under blomstringen. Naturlig utbredelse i subarktiske og tempererte nordlige halvkule
Myrvier (Salix glauca)
Sjølitjernet i Skogbygda er omkranset av myr og sumpaktig landskap der mange myrbundne arter som myrvieren trives. Hele bestanden av myrvier er sterkt preget av elgens beiting gjennom flere år. Naturlig utbredelse i subantaktisk og temperert nordlige halvkule.
Bekkeblom (Caltha palustris)
Sjølitjernet i Skogbygda er omkranset av myrflåter og sumpaktig landskap som i mange år har blitt vedlikeholdt av bevere. Denne flotte bekkeblomen står her i dypt vann rett ved en liten beverdemning. Jeg la først merke til lyden av sildrende vann, noe jeg synes var merkelig midt ute på en flat sump. Noen surklende skritt […]
Bukkeblad (Menyanthes trifoliata)
Bukkeblad er en vakker og umiskjennelig plante under blomstringen om våren og forsommeren, her fra myren rundt Sjølitjernet i Skogbygda. Naturlig utbredelse i subarktiske og tempererte nordlige halvkule.
Grågås (Anser anser)
I går kom 5 små nøster til verden, noe som var synlige for de som bryr seg om livet i naturen. For når ungene kommer ut av eggene hviler gåsemor vingene slapt til siden for å gi ekstra beskyttelse til sine nyankomne. Dette er en helt spesiell positur som gjør det unødvendig å vente helt […]
Angkalanthus oligophylla
This is one of several endemic plant species that is threatened with extinction on Socotra. The main threat is the huge numbers of goats, and their never ending need for grasses and other plants when the grasses are exhausted. If the goats are not enough, the climate change has resulted in extremely destructive cyclones – […]
Cissus paniculata
My first and only encounter of this species of vine on Socotra. A large and vital specimen, growing in the cracks of a vertical cliff by a creek where it was partly hanging, partly climbing. It is a shady and moist location, sheltered by the sun most of the day. Elevation: 240 meters. Endemic.
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 […]
African Baconfig (Aizoon canariense)
Inconspicuous but commonly found in sandy plains of the coast and further inland. This is the first I’ve found with flowers. It is found throughout much of Africa, Iran, Irak and Pakistan.
Kalesan, Socotra
I was here exactly 8 years ago – 6 February 2015. There is quite a bit more water now, perhaps 1,5 to 2 meters deeper. There are few signs of the powerful cyclones Chapala and Megh that followed after my visit in 2015 and the following years. But I did not see any of the […]
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Kalesan, Socotra
I was here exactly 8 years ago – 6 February 2015. There is quite a bit more water now, perhaps 1,5 to 2 meters deeper. The sand-washed, very bright surfaces are looking the same as in 2015. Perhaps reaching a bit further away from the water now. During a cyclone or wet winter, the water […]
Red-eyed Reef Crab (Eriphia smithii)
The marine life around Socotra is rich and diverse, but I am focusing on the flora and fauna on land. However, I had a short window of opportunity during low tide where I encountered this red-eyed reef crab (Eriphia smithii).
Violet Zoanthids (Zoanthus sansibaricus)
Socotra’s biodiversity on land is undisputed and world famous, but it is equally diverse on the coast and in the sea. I am focusing on the terrestrial realm but had a brief encounter of the marine life during low tide here at Dihamri. This particular coral species was growing in very shallow water and as […]
Crotalaria strigulosa
A very variable species with leaves ranging from linear, as seen here, to oblong or broadly obovate. It has been untouched by the goats and is growing in a veritable herbal garden next to the tall cliffs of the northeastern Socotra. This was an unexpected joy to experience as it is very rare to find […]
Dirichletia obovata
Most of the Dirichletia obovatas I encountered were past their flowering, but this one had a few sweet scented tubes remaining. I can only imagine their scent filling the air at the height of flowering. Endemic. Elevation: 490 meters.
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)
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)
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 […]
Lavandula nimmoi
Lavandula nimmoi is a favorite of the goats of Socotra, so why is this one seemingly untouched? The winter rains of this season were good and have ensured plenty of juicy grasses, which is the the top choice of the Socotri goat. As soon as the grasses are exhausted they will start picking their next […]
Coleus socotranus
My first encounter of this species on Socotra, near the plateau above the cliffs of Hoq. The goats have easy access to this individual and have browsed it in the past. Fortunately there is plenty of grasses so far this year, which might provide time enough for it to grow flowers. As this was the […]
Socotra plant 50 (Helicrysum)
A beautiful specimen, untouched by goats and growing to its full potential and one day filled with inflorescences. The vertical cliffs of Socotra are safe havens for many species that otherwise would have been browsed by the goats, leaving their growth stunted and the species almost unrecognizable. According to A G Miller and M Morris […]
Aden Currybush (Lasiosiphon socotranus)
As I neared the plateau the shade of the otherwise imposing Hoq cliffs of north eastern Socotra, the landscape opened up and the sun reached the ground in full force, yet this evergreen Aden currybush thrives at this location and was in full bloom. Elevation: 452 meters. Endemic.
Socotra plant 50 (Helicrysum)
A beautiful specimen, untouched by goats and seemingly at its full potential. The vertical cliffs of Socotra are safe havens for many species that otherwise would have been browsed by the goats, leaving their growth stunted and the species almost unrecognizable. According to A G Miller and M Morris this is a species restricted to […]
Oldenlandia balfourii
A beautiful specimen of Oldenlandia balfourii, at its full potential. Usually the species is gobbled up by the goats, but at the time I visited there was still plenty of grasses to eat. Only when they have exhausted the stock of grasses will they find their next favourite species on their list. Adding to this, […]
Geranium trilophum
There are 3 similar Geranium species found on Socotra: G mascatense G trilophum G biuncinatum This observation has a flower with a white centre, opposed to dark in Geranium biuncinatum and mascatense. Furthermore, this observation has what seems a mercicarp stuck in images 3 and 4 (ejected from the mature pod to the right in […]
Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica)
A vibrant, healthy and quite tall Punica protopunica, found next to the walls of the north east of Socotra. These vertical cliffs provide shade and moisture for much longer than the exposed part of Socotra, and thus the species that grow here, next to the wall, are very healthy. Endemic.
Dioscorea lanata
The shape of the leaves provides information that this is a species and an individual with a huge growth potential. This is a twining plant that can grow to several meters in length. However, this seedling set root in an shallow crack in the limestone. Unless its roots can reach deep enough to reach the […]
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 […]
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