Socotra: Hibiscus

[JasonD]

Socotra has five endemic yellow hibiscuses. I photographed this one at the Diksam Plateau at around 900m elevation, on the edge of a deep canyon. At least one of the species, Hibiscus dioscorides, is known for the irritating hairs on its leaves. I don't know whether this trait is shared with any of the other species, but I can attest that I brushed against a different plant elsewhere on the island and suffered for about 20 minutes afterwards.

[Tracy]

On 4/1/2022 at 4:14 PM, JasonD said:

Hibiscus dioscorides, is known for the irritating hairs on its leaves. I don't know whether this trait is shared with any of the other species, but I can attest that I brushed against a different plant elsewhere on the island and suffered for about 20 minutes afterwards.

Those irritating hairs are probably why we don't see this species of Hibiscus used much in other dry climates.  Otherwise, with these nice flowers, this species seems like it would be widely adopted for garden use where water is scarce.

[Silas_Sancona]

5 hours ago, Tracy said:

Those irritating hairs are probably why we don't see this species of Hibiscus used much in other dry climates.  Otherwise, with these nice flowers, this species seems like it would be widely adopted for garden use where water is scarce.

Those irritating hairs are another interesting reason to grow it.. Much like growing extra - spiny cacti, or other plants that have potentially irritating hairs on their leaves. 

Sourcing seed is a more likely reason these would be more of a challenge getting into cultivation, ..Like acquiring true Myrrh ( Commiphora myrrha ). Good luck finding real deal plants, or seed.

[Tracy]

18 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Sourcing seed is a more likely reason these would be more of a challenge getting into cultivation,

Probably also a large factor, but it seems that the folks that brought out some of the other interesting plants long ago, didn't collect this one to bring out too.  At this point if there isn't seed from outside Socatran Island, I would bet that it would be much more difficult now to get it out.  I was actually surprised to hear of Jason's visit.  I thought it was pretty difficult to get to the island because of the turmoil in that part of the world.

[Silas_Sancona]

17 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Probably also a large factor, but it seems that the folks that brought out some of the other interesting plants long ago, didn't collect this one to bring out too.  At this point if there isn't seed from outside Socatran Island, I would bet that it would be much more difficult now to get it out.  I was actually surprised to hear of Jason's visit.  I thought it was pretty difficult to get to the island because of the turmoil in that part of the world.

Definitely possible.. May not have been on anyone's radar, or just not interesting enough.. That said, if someone were determined enough, seed could be accessed.. Could already be hidden in someone's collection. 

As far as visiting, i'm sure Jason and the people he was able to travel with were prepared.. Island is different, but imagine visiting it would be similar to traveling into the more challenging parts of Mexico, etc.. people still do.. Have heard of people going into various areas to document stuff or collect seed w/ military escort.