Dorstenia

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Frazer
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Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:40 pm

Dorstenia

Post by Frazer »

Some plants photographed on Socotra (island south of Yemen east of Somalia)
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Dorstenia gigas in karst landscape
Dorstenia gigas in karst landscape
Dorstenia gigas - karst - resize.JPG (68.23 KiB) Viewed 2940 times
Dendrosicyus socotrana
Dendrosicyus socotrana
Dendrosicyus socotrana (Cucurbitaceae) - resize.jpg (67.9 KiB) Viewed 2940 times
Dracaena cinnabari - woodland
Dracaena cinnabari - woodland
Dracaena cinnabari - woodland - resize.JPG (77.23 KiB) Viewed 2940 times
Dracaena cinnabari with Dorstenia gigas
Dracaena cinnabari with Dorstenia gigas
Dorstenia gigas and Dracaena cinnabari - resize.jpg (52.99 KiB) Viewed 2940 times
Dracaena cinnabari
Dracaena cinnabari
Dracaena cinnabari - resize.JPG (96.2 KiB) Viewed 2940 times
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One Windowsill
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Location: Manchester

Re: Dorstenia

Post by One Windowsill »

Beautiful.

When did you take these? I want some reassurance that they still have forests of Dracaena there.
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jerrytheplater
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Re: Dorstenia

Post by jerrytheplater »

Amazing shots. Very nice. Thanks for posting.
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Frazer
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:40 pm

Re: Dorstenia

Post by Frazer »

In response to query:

I travelled there for three weeks in 2007 and visited again in 2008. The problem with the Dracaena has been the lack of natural regeneration caused by a changing climate and goats. The local Hadibo nursery (with the support of the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh) had been raising plants and placing them in a reserve but even then losses were still high from domestic livestock and a lack of water. I fear that the outlook is not good and the plants will only in future be found in mountain refuges where inaccessibility and greater precipitation, through mist, will sustain them. The Cucumber trees, of any meaningful stature, were also becoming hard to find as they are used for fodder and fuel.

I had intended to return but was prevented from so doing by the conflict in Yemen (which makes insurance nigh on impossible).....but still hope to do so. There are more pictures posted at https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18509.0

If you wish any more information just let me know.
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Socotra Botanic Garden  - general - resize.jpg
Socotra Botanic Garden - general - resize.jpg (97.37 KiB) Viewed 2902 times
Socotra Botanic  General - 2 - resize.jpg
Socotra Botanic General - 2 - resize.jpg (89.2 KiB) Viewed 2902 times
Replanting - Socotra - resize.JPG
Replanting - Socotra - resize.JPG (66.76 KiB) Viewed 2902 times
note the water pipe to ensure that the plants can at least survive the parched earth in lower altitude areas
note the water pipe to ensure that the plants can at least survive the parched earth in lower altitude areas
Dracaena replanting -Socotra - resize.JPG (89.95 KiB) Viewed 2902 times
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MrXeric
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Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:31 pm
Location: California, USDA zone 10a

Re: Dorstenia

Post by MrXeric »

That Dorstenia in the karst landscape is especially dramatic! And the Dracaena woodland is stunning, though it's quite depressing to know that that landscape is existing on limited time.
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One Windowsill
Posts: 544
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Manchester

Re: Dorstenia

Post by One Windowsill »

Some more gorgeous photos. The Exacum was most unexpected.

All suitable for a rock garden, though perhaps not in Scotland. :D

I have two 3cm seedlings of Caralluma (Monolluma, Sanguilluma) socotrana. I am probably fussing over them a bit too much. I am about to separate them and pot them up, which is going to be terrifying.

That is all the information I need for the moment, thanks. I am going to think some happy thoughts now.
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nachtkrabb
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Re: Dorstenia

Post by nachtkrabb »

Thank you for sharing, Frazer.
Lovely plants. Incredible pictures.
N.
Love and Revolution!
...and still more cacti.
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