Desert Rose

Posted by Pied Crow (Nairobi, Kenya) on 18 April 2009 in Plant & Nature.

Like the baobab (see previous) this is a rather odd plant with a gorgeous flower. However, the desert rose does not grow much larger than this. Island residents use it as a natural bee-hive, cutting an opening into the hollow trunk then partially blocking it with a stone. The bees build a hive inside, and the stone can be removed to allow honey harvesting -- though this involves sticking one's hand into a dark hole full of bees! They do smoke the bees first.

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