Socotra also called Soqotra, is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean.The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss". Archipelago Cokotra (Socotra) in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa can rightly be widely regarded as one of the strangest places on earth. The archipelago is unlike anything else and it seems that you were somewhere on another planet. It is believed that the archipelago has been isolated from mainland Africa, 6 - 7 million years, which affected its flora and fauna.It had long been a part of the 'Adan Governorate, but in 2004 it became attached to the Hadhramaut Governorate, which is in much greater proximity to the island than' Adan
The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.
Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances). After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history.
The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of four islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last six or seven million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full third of which are endemic, ie found nowhere else on Earth.
Alien-looking plants: HP Lovecraft's secret inspiration?
Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his "The Color out of Space")? We almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old.
We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy. The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers,and from above they have a distinct mushroom look:
There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg.It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera.
Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this "bucha" vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham (with his "The Day of the Triffids") would've loved it.
Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge.
The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.
Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances). After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history.
The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of four islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last six or seven million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full third of which are endemic, ie found nowhere else on Earth.
Alien-looking plants: HP Lovecraft's secret inspiration?
Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his "The Color out of Space")? We almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old.
We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy. The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers,and from above they have a distinct mushroom look:
There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg.It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera.
Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this "bucha" vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham (with his "The Day of the Triffids") would've loved it.
Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge.
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