Islands of bizarre secrets

misslily Bleeding trees of the high plateaus

misslily Socotra's Secret Island

misslily Bulbous trunks and desert roses

misslily The island that time forgot

misslily The human side of isolation

misslily Deep in Socotra, the trees bleed red (yeah, they bleed red!) A magical island that you've never met (oh-oh, never met!)

misslily Bulbous trunks and desert roses

Fun Fact

Socotra's unique plants: Over 30% of the 825 plant species found on Yemen's Socotra island exist nowhere else on Earth.

misslily Bleeding trees of the high plateaus

Glossary

dragon's blood tree (noun)
A distinctive tropical tree of the genus Dracaena known for producing a red resinous sap. On Yemen's isolated Socotra island, this iconic plant dominates the rocky plateaus with its unique umbrella canopy.

Quiz

What adaptation allows the Socotran bottle tree to survive severe droughts?

Gossip

Would you visit Socotra if you had the chance?

Quiz

Where is the isolated island of Socotra geographically located?

Quiz

What is the shape of the famous dragon's blood tree canopy?

Quiz

Approximately how many millions of years ago did Socotra separate from mainland Africa?

Quiz

Which country politically governs the island of Socotra?

Quiz

What traditional method did Socotra's residents use to protect their fragile forests?

Quiz

What is unique about the Soqotri language spoken by the island's indigenous population?

Quiz

What color is the sap of the dragon's blood tree?