Instructify

BY BILL FERRIS

A while back we looked at some of the world’s weirdest plants. I don’t know how, but the list didn’t include anything from Socotra. Part of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa, Socotra is home to plant and animal species that look like they’re from another planet. Socotra has been isolated from the African mainland for millions of years, and its plant and animal life show it. According to this article from Dark Roasted Blend, “Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e. found nowhere else on Earth.”

Just look at the Dragon’s Blood Tree (pictured), which looks rather mushroom-like. Its sap was a sought-after dye and  medicine. Then there’s the adenium obesum, or Desert Rose, “which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg.”

The plant life on Socotra would be great discussion fodder for your biology class — what evolutionary conditions existed that would cause plants to make these adaptations? What are the advantages and drawbacks of Socotra’s isolation. You’d also be remiss if you didn’t ask, “How freaking cool is this?” Socotra is probably your best bet if you wanted to theorize as to what life on other planets would look like.

The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth

Related stuff:

I dare you to plant these in your garden: the world’s weirdest plants

Beware of the 20 Deadliest Plants on the Planet

Photo credit: jan_vandorpe on Flickr.