On the steep cliffs of west Socotra on the way to Shuab beach I found many interesting plants and some untouched by goats. This rather large cucumis prophetarum was still in great shape and would perhaps be able to make ripe seeds before the lack of water completely suspends all life.
This is possibly cucumis prophetarum ssp prophetarum, as it is less lobed than the Cucumis prophetarum ssp dissectum
My focus on the plant was completely flipped towards a skink that approached the flowers I was photographing. It was eating them in quick succession! Fortunately I got this picture in time!
Last updated on 8 November 2024
