18 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) with bark snails
You can find these dormant (aestivating) land snails (Achatinelloides) sporadically throughout Socotra, but find them covering an entire Socotra cucumber tree…
15 Dec 2023
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)
A very young Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) that has survived the insatiable appetite of the goats - only because it growing where they cannot…
4 Feb 2023
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
This is the only place I've encountered Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) on Socotra. It thrives here in the shadow of the tall cliffs of Socotra's northeast, and…
6 Feb 2015
Cucumis prophetarum
The entirety of cucumis prophetarum plant is really fascinating, and I’ve never seen it before. Native range is Mauritania to Arabian Peninsula, West Asia to…
6 Feb 2015
Cucumis prophetarum
The entirety of cucumis prophetarum is really fascinating, and I've never seen it before, nor do I know if it's an endemic or not. Native range is Mauritania…
6 Feb 2015
Cucumis prophetarum
I don't know the color of the ripe fruit of cucumis prophetarum, but this one was swollen and seemed to be nearing it's final stages for seed dispersal. Native…
6 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
During bloom the widespread shrub croton socotranus is an important food source for insects of all sizes. Here the paper wasp belonogaster saussurei is…
3 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
A beautiful specimen of Ochradenus socotranus, untouched by livestock due to its position high up a sheer cliff face. In the morning shade from the towering…
3 Feb 2015
Socotra Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus)
Socotra cucumber tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus) is less famous than the desert rose or bottle tree, but equally amazing with its oversized trunk compared to…