A Socotran Cornucopia of Cacti

Opuntia, or what I know as Beavers Tail Cactus has become invasive in many countries, including Yemen, but I still love it sculptural attributes. Opuntia has also become naturalized in many other regions, especially in Africa and Asia. I was fascinated and sketched, albeit quickly, Socotras many unique plants, including aloes, bottle trees, and the dragon’s blood tree. Desert rose (Adenium) A succulent with a swollen trunk that stores water. Socotran bottle trees which blew me away as they can grow up to 5 meters tall and are best seen on the limestone plateau of Eerk.
Dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) A striking tree with an umbrella-shaped canopy that produces red sap. Other plants The cucumber tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus), The giant succulent tree (Dorstenia gigas), The rare Socotran pomegranate that you dont want to taste! and rather plain myrrh tree who’s wood, when burnt is heavenly!