Dorstenia gigas


Dorstenia gigas (Socotra)

Dorstenia gigas is a succulent plant endemic to the island of Socotra, an extraordinary island belonging to the Yemen, and situated at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, across from the tip of Somalia.

Dorstenia gigas plant from cutting, about 4 years old.
The caudex recoupled with time.

From the fig family (Moraceae), Dorstenia gigas is highly prized for its beauty. It is very rarely available from the producers.

Dorstenia gigas plant from cutting, about 7 years old.

This scarcity of Dorstenia gigas is due to two main reasons:

- Socotra Island - "Island of Bliss" and "Forgotten Island" - has always been very isolated from the world and difficult to access much of the year.

- Dorstenia gigas is a difficult plant to be multiplied by cuttings or by marcotage and rarely produce seeds.

Flowers (hypanthodium) from Dorstenia gigas. Right : capsules containing seeds (November 2008)

Le Jardin Naturel (www.baobabs.com) has been trying to produce Dorstenia gigas for many years.

Visit of a ladybug on a flower (hypanthodium) from Dorstenia gigas seeded apparent (November 2008)

In 2008, the first seeds of Dorstenia gigas appeared on adult plants, reward many years of waiting and hopeing.

Seedlings (2011 / 01)

Young plant Dorstenia gigas, from seed (March 2009)

By dint of patience and perseverance Le Jardin Naturel is now able to offer for sale on the website some seeds, seedlings and cuttings of Dorstenia gigas. See HERE

A plant of Dorstenia gigas (rooted cutting) similar as those that we are selling online.
The caudex recoupled with time.