Soqotra is a small but fascinating island that lies almost forgotten off the coast of Somalia. It was cut off from the mainland of Africa so long ago that its flora evolved differently from that of its neighboring lands. It is home to hundreds of species that occur nowhere else and strange plants are the norm there. Giant Adeniums look like grotesque wax creations but bloom with beautiful red flowers. Cucumber trees look like huge green-topped candles melted into the rocks and Dragon's blood trees look like giant umbrellas or mushrooms. The slide show includes pictures of some of the intriguing plants and places on Soqotra and on the mainland of Yemen to which the island belongs. 

View Soqotra slide show.

There is an article on Soqotra at
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at1318_full.html. 
For information on tours to Soqotra, go to www.live-travel.com.

Tucson is home to an amazing array of plants. Some, like Saguaro and Ocotillo, are familiar landscape plants, but there are many obscure species that deserve greater use in local landscapes. For example, Coral Bean (Erythrina flabelliformis) is a prickly plant that leafs out in summer and has amazing red flowers. It is a nice addition to a cactus garden. Amoreuxia, Talinum, and Jatropha macrorhiza come up in summer from underground roots and have attractive foliage and flowers. Menodora and Jacquemontia are tough shrubs with pretty flowers. Check with nurseries in Tucson that carry "weird" or native plants. If you're lucky, you might find a few of these treasures.
View Underutilized plants slide show.

Bolivia isn't at the top of many people's wish lists for travel, but it should be! It is an easy, friendly, and colorful country with incredible diversity of landscapes, plants, critters and people. From the thin-aired heights of La Paz to the steamy and thorny Chaco desert, there is always something fascinating to explore.

View Bolivia slide show.