Jebel Kawkaban

[FrazerHenderson]

Jebel Kawkaban (2800m) lies some 50km north-west of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. I'm not sure whether this thread is correct for scenery shots of Arabia but since I got away with the Haggeher Mountains, Socotra, earlier I thought that I would give this a try.

I was tramping around Kawkaban in March this year, after visiting Socotra and shall be returning next year for more extensive exploration of both this range and others in northern Yemen.

There are some plants and would welcome any information on identification.

[Carlo]

Keep going  Frazer.

It's wonderful to be seeing mountain ranges and flora that aren't that well known. I'm sure you're stimulating travel plans for many of us.

[FrazerHenderson]

Carlo

Just a few more - spot the well-known succulent..

[Lesley Cox]

They do some great blues in that part of the world. I'm thinking this last one may be a chicory.( IMG 0560) How about Cichorium bottiae? (or something like that, in an AGS Bulletin years ago). But what's the black thing beside it?

[Carlo]

Forget the succulent (although Yemen and Socotra both have some beauties...and one or two from their reside on my shelves!), the blue cushion in your last batch is FANTASTIC (and looks like another Chicorum--although more desirable than any I have seen).

[Brian Ellis]

Very interesting, thank you Frazer and that Chicorum?? is stunning

[fermi de Sousa]

Many thanks again, Frazer!
Do you have a close-up of the second blue flower? It seems to form a very tight bun; is it in a very exposed area?
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

But what's the black thing beside it?

Goat dung?

[Paddy Tobin]

Frazer,

Great to have another posting of these exotic places. When I view images of the plants which are strange to me I am prompted to remember just how little I know about flowers really. We can become familiar with one group or type of plant and feel confident in our knowledge and gardening but after viewing a posting such as yours it is quickly  brought home just how many plants there are with which I am not at all familiar.

Great photographs; really enjoyed them.

Maggi!!!

You would have to lower the tone, wouldn't you! I'm sure it was rabbit droppings, OK a big rabbit.

Paddy

[Luc Gilgemyn]

S t u n n i n g pictures again Frazer ! 
Thanks for introducing us in this (for me totally unknown) area !  I hardly expected anything else but sand and oil out there.

[Lesley Cox]

But what's the black thing beside it?

Goat dung?

And there was me thinking truffles.

[mark smyth]

I got the Naturetrek brochure in today. Great reading even if I dont go to the places they offer

[FrazerHenderson]

This a long shot, but if anyone knows where I can obtain a copy of The Plants of Dhamar (Yemen) by A Alkhulaidi and JJ Kessler I'd welcome such information. I saw a copy in the RBGE; I believe however that it is now out of print.

[FrazerHenderson]

Many thanks again, Frazer!
Do you have a close-up of the second blue flower? It seems to form a very tight bun; is it in a very exposed area?
cheers
fermi

Fermi
Finally got around to trimming the picture to show the flowers in close-up. Hope this helps.
Slainte

Frazer

[Maggi Young]

I still have no idea what this blue flower is  but the close-up makes me realise how very lovely it is