“The Socotra archipelago is an isolated island chain in the Indian Ocean. One-third of the flora on Socotra grows nowhere else on the planet, including these curious dragon’s blood trees (Dracaena cinnabari).
Socotra, which is part of Yemen and 250 miles south of the Arabian Peninsula, built its first and only airport in 1999. Prior to that, the island was only accessible via cargo ship. The island’s isolation has given rise to unique flora and fauna, such as the bizarre Adenium socotranum, which resembles a giant alien pod with flowers growing out of it. But the most famous plant on Socotra is the pedestal-like dragon’s blood tree, which resembles a giant wooden mushroom.
These trees can still be found all over the island, but increasingly arid weather on the Socotra archipelago and the clearing of the trees for grazing are causing their numbers to dwindle.”
[Via i09 via Atlas Obscura]
