12 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)
This is the iconic and endemic bottle tree, or desert rose of Socotra - Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum. When you find one in bloom like this one you simply…
12 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum) UV
What's interesting with this landscape view of the bottle tree, is that the flowers appear same color in UV as the lichen on the rocks! Endemic.
12 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)
Many species of plants on Socotra have evolved seed pods like this, and I don't know why this is a design preferable here, as the content is dispersed by wind…
12 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)
This species is endemic to Socotra, meaning it grows only on this island! They come in so many shapes and sizes and sometimes resembles works of art - with or…
12 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)
Besides the Dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), the Socotra bottle tree is the most iconic of the endemic plant species on the island. They can be seen in…
9 Feb 2015
Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum
A huge trunk with seemingly feeble branches - what a strange plant indeed. This adaptation means it can grow tender and mist leaves at any time - even at the…
9 Feb 2015
Red-legged Golden Orb-web Spider (Nephila sumptuosa)
The only Red-legged golden orb-web spider (Nephila sumptuosa) I encountered. A magnificent, large spider! I also found a small male on the outer fringes of the…
8 Feb 2015
Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum)
It's amazing how Socotra bottle tree (Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum) is able to thrive on bare rock!
6 Feb 2015
Cryptolepis socotrana
I found cryptolepis socotrana only in this location during my two week stay on Socotra. It grows in a crack in the rock face of the Kalesan gorge - out of…
6 Feb 2015
Cryptolepis socotrana
I found cryptolepis socotrana only in this location during my two week stay on Socotra. It grows in a crack in the rock face of the Kalesan gorge - out of…