Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: stellan on March 12, 2008, 07:05:48 AM

Title: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on March 12, 2008, 07:05:48 AM
I'm now in Iran and here are som photos from last week. It's still early spring so not many species in flowers. I'll soon go down to the Caspian Sea and I think there will be green and more flowers...

I would be happy if anyone can tell what species there are on the photos.

giraff_astragalus
 colchicum 1
 colchicum 2
 colchicum 3
 crocus 1
 crocus 2
 iris 1
 iris 2



Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on March 12, 2008, 07:15:09 AM
Sorry, no reply for the species - but, thanks god the giraffe bull (he) is alive!   ;D ;D ;D

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Thomas Huber on March 12, 2008, 07:31:10 AM
Stellan, the Crocus should be biflorus ssp adamii and/or tauri.
Both are recorded for Iran, but it's not easy to tell them apart just by a photo.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 12, 2008, 08:42:57 PM
Probably a form of I. reticulata for the red iris. Gerry must be quite at home in Iran. African giraffes graze on the many kinds of thorn bush (among other things) that grow there and must overtop them just as Gerry does, the Astragalus
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on March 18, 2008, 09:45:23 AM
Gerry is now at the Caspian Sea and likes the sandy beaches. He also liked the slopes down to the Sea but not the snowstorm the days before when the road was blocked...

He is planing to follow the sea for few days before going to the snowy mountains north of Tehran. Here are some photos from last days.

/Stellan
http://www.sandstorm.se (http://www.sandstorm.se)
The photos of plants from the Silkroad trip are collected under "Blombilder 2007-2008"

gerry epimedium primula cyklamen
 gerrys food
 galanthus
 scilla
 cyklamen 1
 cyklamen 2
 primula
 carex.
 gerry_at_caspian_sea

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on March 18, 2008, 10:09:01 AM
Help ! I got a fainting fit after I saw these pictures :o :o :o

There are Cyclamen (coum) elegans and Galanthus transcaucasicus
Unbelievable!

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on March 18, 2008, 05:25:09 PM
Stellan

What is your planned route?    Will you go via Khalkhal?

I ask as I will be in Iran from April 14 and wonder what the season is going to be like.  Your photos give me encouragement, as I know they had a lot of snow in the North and NW and I thought there might be nothing in flower
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on March 27, 2008, 08:56:27 AM
The latest news from Gerry...

He have left the Caspian sea and are now in Kajar about 40 km west of Tehran. He come to the place yesterday and he had good time in the mountains north of the city.

Here are some photos from last days

/Stellan

 fish_from_caspian_sea
 geranium  erodium
 dionysia
 gerry corydalis
 corydalis.
 anemone.
 karta 9
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on March 27, 2008, 10:53:52 AM
Hi Stellan,
Pleased to hear from you both. The Anemone is gorgeous - perhaps A. caucasica.
Tell Gerry his Geranium is an Erodium species  ;D

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on March 27, 2008, 11:18:24 AM
Gerd
As we cannot tell the size of the plant, could this be Anemone caucasicum?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on March 27, 2008, 12:15:27 PM
Gerd
As we cannot tell the size of the plant, could this be Anemone caucasicum?

Arthur,
You are right, we can't be sure from a single plant without comparing the size. On the other hand it looks pretty much like that what I grow under the name A. caucasica. See pic!

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on March 27, 2008, 01:13:16 PM
Hi Stellan,
Pleased to hear from you both. The Anemone is gorgeous - perhaps A. caucasica.
Tell Gerry his Geranium is an Erodium species  ;D

Gerd

Thank you... I know it's an Erodium but i wrote Geranium first because i couldn't remember the name. I changed the name and after I got problem with the computer and it changed it back... The Anemone was about 5 cm tall and only few were in flower.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Katherine J on March 27, 2008, 03:15:03 PM
Wonderful pictures, wonderful flowers, wonderful places! Thank you very much!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 07, 2008, 08:24:01 PM
Hey again...

Me and Gerry have been in Tehran during last days to get visas to Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) but it still will take time. After more than a week in the city we wanted to do something so today we went on a day trip to the mountains north of Tehran. I liked it ans so did Gerry.

Here are some photos from today.

/Stellan

 gerry  gagea
 gagea 2
 gagea 1

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 07, 2008, 08:33:08 PM
More photos... Slow internet here...


astragalus 1
 astragalus 2
 astragalus 3

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 07, 2008, 08:41:13 PM
More photos...

prunus 1
 prunus 2
 muscari 1
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on April 07, 2008, 08:43:17 PM
Hi, Stellan! Great to hear from you. You and the plant hunting giraffe are finding some good plants, I see. Thanks!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 07, 2008, 08:50:45 PM
Last photos from today...

Maggi: I will go back to the mountains again tomorrow... So there will be new photos tomorrow.

/Stellan
ranunculus_1
 ranunculus_2
 tulipa
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ranunculus on April 07, 2008, 11:11:39 PM
What a pretty buttercup.....anyone got a clue to it's identity please?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on April 07, 2008, 11:13:52 PM
Cliff
The ranunculus looks like Anemone biflora
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 08, 2008, 05:57:08 AM
Ranunculus gerryoides. ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on April 08, 2008, 09:33:11 AM
Ranunculus gerryoides. ;)

Lesley

I googled for Ranunculus gerryoides to get further info - not recognised.  Can you provide a few details of area in which it grows etc.  Thanks
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 08, 2008, 10:11:35 AM
Art,
I think Lesley is pulling your leg - Stellan names his giraffe Gerry... :-\
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 08, 2008, 10:39:26 AM
Art,
I think Lesley is pulling your leg - Stellan names his giraffe Gerry... :-\

I didn't named him. I think Lesley did it....

To much rain last night so no biking in the mountains today.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on April 08, 2008, 11:19:15 AM
Luc

As I gardened in glorious sunshine this morning, I realised that Lesley had manged to get one over on me.  I will bide my time..... ;) ;) ;D

After the miserable Sunday when we had more than 5 cm of snow that did not disappear, the forecasters appeared to have got the forecast of sleet until Thursday wrong. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Ian Y on April 08, 2008, 11:28:20 AM
Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures with us Stellan it is so good to see the fantastic plants that you and Gerry find.
I hope the rain clears soon so you can continue your explorations.
From a very grey and wet Aberdeen.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 08, 2008, 10:55:06 PM
As I gardened in glorious sunshine this morning, I realised that Lesley had manged to get one over on me.  I will bide my time..... ;) ;) ;D

I'll look forward to that Arthur :)

If Luc hadn't given the game away, I would have said that R. gerryoides was a wide ranging species originating in Africa but well establish in Sweden and now thought to be spreading widely in Iran. Every plant a beauty to be treasured. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 20, 2008, 02:54:08 PM
I and Gerry have left Tehran and have been in the mountains northeast from the city during last days. Here are some of the latest photos

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 20, 2008, 03:02:36 PM
Some more photos
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 20, 2008, 03:10:05 PM
More photos
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Ian Y on April 20, 2008, 03:10:13 PM
Gerry seems to be very taken with the Salvia - for me it is the tulips.
It is interesting to see them at about the same stage as they are at in our Aberdeen garden.
Thanks Stellan and Gerry.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 20, 2008, 03:19:42 PM
More photos
aristolochia
 corydalis
 stachys
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: mark smyth on April 20, 2008, 03:23:12 PM
Rosa persica is very nice. Must Google it
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 20, 2008, 03:26:04 PM
Last photos for today... I have more photos but the internet is to slow...

I will ride back to the mountains again and find a good place for my tent.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 21, 2008, 01:33:47 AM
Thank you Stellan. I love the tulips too. Those wonderful wiggly leaves! And the stachys looks very interesting, not much like your typical Lamiaceae at first glance. I wonder what those hard cushions are? If you were here Stellan, they'd be Raoulia eximia. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lvandelft on April 21, 2008, 06:18:06 AM
Amazing pictures Stellan.
Most impressed by those Gypsophila aretoides (?) on the hillside.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 12:29:13 PM
Me and Gerry are now in Semnan and here are some photos from yesterday in the mountains northeast from here.

/Stellan

 adonis
 asteraceae
 flower_1
 flower_2
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 12:39:33 PM
Here are more photos from the mountains...


lamiaceae
 hillside_1
 hillside_2
 cliff
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 12:43:35 PM
Nice flower...

brassicaceae_1
 brassicaceae_2
 brassicaceae_3
 brassicaceae_4
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 12:45:59 PM
Some more photos...

euphorbia.
 brassicaceae_5
 juno
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 12:51:29 PM
I liked this Fabaceae... The flower look normal but the leaves don't fit the plant...

These was also the last photos for today...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on April 22, 2008, 12:57:56 PM
Thanks for today's "report", Stellan  8)
The earth that the last Fabaceae is growing in is not very inviting, is it?   ... does not seem that the plants would enjoy it, but it is amazing to see just where and how the plants DO grow in nature.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 22, 2008, 01:03:30 PM
Thanks for today's "report", Stellan  8)
The earth that the last Fabaceae is growing in is not very inviting, is it?   ... does not seem that the plants would enjoy it, but it is amazing to see just where and how the plants DO grow in nature.

The plant was growing near the road so the earth is little better. If I went few meter from the road it was more dead... Brown bushes and salt.

I will ride southeast from the city so I think it will be more dry and less plants...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 23, 2008, 04:05:26 AM
Some really interesting things there Stellan, even the brassicas look rather special. A superb clumping Juno. :P :P
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 24, 2008, 08:58:09 AM
Thanks, Stellan (and Gerry),
quite a fascinating look at these far away places!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arillady on April 24, 2008, 09:21:20 AM
Are you collecting any seeds on your trip - Rosa persica is a gem which I would love to try from seed.
Pat T
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ruweiss on April 24, 2008, 09:44:13 PM
Thanks Stellan for these impressive pictures of these remote regions.
The Brassicaceas remind me of Mathola montana from Turkey,growing also
in hot and dry places and are probably other species.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 09:35:53 AM
Thanks Stellan for these impressive pictures of these remote regions.
The Brassicaceas remind me of Mathola montana from Turkey,growing also
in hot and dry places and are probably other species.


I have found more than 5 species of Mathola here in Iran. I don't know if any of them is Mathola montana... Every time I go to a new montains there are new species and it's fun. I have travel in east but try to north-south so i both get the dry and the wet side of the mountains.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 09:56:35 AM
Here is an Iris i found at 1400 m on the south side of the mountains. It's dry area...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 10:00:42 AM
Higher up, around 2200m and still dry...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 10:15:57 AM
Here are some more photos. This is from 2600 m alltitude, still at the dry side of the mountains

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 10:22:40 AM
Here are some more photos. These photos are taken about 400 m from the last. Also at 2600 m but on the wet side of the mountains...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ranunculus on April 29, 2008, 10:28:18 AM
Wonderful stuff Stellan....as always....many thanks for your continuing postings.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 10:29:31 AM
Here are some photos from lower altitude, around 1500 m

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 29, 2008, 10:34:08 AM
Here are the last photos for this time... It's now down to 1100 m and still on the wet side of the mountains...

I'll leave the internet and go back to the forest again...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 29, 2008, 10:28:43 PM
Another wonderful episoded Stellan, many thanks for it. Glad to see there's plenty of green stuff for Gerry to eat. :)

Are the large purple patches an Astragalus? They would be great in a rock garden. And I really would like some of that cliff near me. A genuine crevice garden. The tulips are gorgeous. They look like escapees from someone's garden. ;D, almost too good to be true in such a harsh landscape.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ranunculus on April 29, 2008, 10:47:25 PM
And I really would like some of that cliff near me.

Gee, I'm overwhelmed Lesley!  Didn't even know you cared!   ::)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 29, 2008, 11:08:24 PM
It's raining here and snow forecast for this afternoon. So any Cliff in a storm I suppose. ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 30, 2008, 09:04:36 AM
Another wonderful episoded Stellan, many thanks for it. Glad to see there's plenty of green stuff for Gerry to eat. :)

Are the large purple patches an Astragalus? They would be great in a rock garden. And I really would like some of that cliff near me. A genuine crevice garden. The tulips are gorgeous. They look like escapees from someone's garden. ;D, almost too good to be true in such a harsh landscape.

I think it's Astragalus... There are many species of Astragalus here but also other genera that look similar. The purple patches are some kind of Fabaceae and I thik it's Astragalus. Lovely bushes but not so good when I want to camp...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Joakim B on April 30, 2008, 11:40:28 AM
Very nice places and plants You show us. This will for sure give You Goodwill at the turistboard of Iran :)  8)
I like the iris and tulip as well as the orchid.

Could the orchid be Orchis militaris military orchid? or Orchis simia monkey orchid? The Orchis may have changed to Anacampus but I am not updated on these changes. Any suggestions?

Tanks for taking the time to share these lovely places
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ruweiss on May 01, 2008, 09:52:12 PM
Stellan,thank you again for these beautiful and interesting pictures.
There is an error in my last mail,the genus name of the Brassicacea is Matthiola and not
Mathola as I wrote,please excuse my mistake.
The purple patches look to me like Onobrychis cornuta,a Leguminosae with horrible spines
which grows over a vast region in Western Asia.We found it in higher elevations of Eastern
Turkey,even the hungry goats refused it.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: art600 on May 12, 2008, 09:26:48 AM
Here is an Iris i found at 1400 m on the south side of the mountains. It's dry area...

/Stellan

I think this is Iris songarica
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:22:21 AM
Hey again...

I haven't had time to show more photos and tell the story about me and Gerry. We are ok and have left Iran for more than two months ago and are now in Kostanau in North Kazakhstan. We have been in the city more than two weeks most because I had problems with the police. I got the problems because I overstand my visa with two weeks. They didn't liked it and I have to be in the court two times and now I have only 10 more days here. If I don't leave before I'll be put in jail for 15 days and after deported for 5 years...

My plan for near future is to get a flight to Kiev/Ukraina and get me a new visa and return to Kazakhstan again. Gerry have no problems so maybe he will stay when I get me a new visa...

Here is the latest map from the trip...
(http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder/karta10.jpg)

/Stellan

If you press "Bilder 2008" you will find more photos from the trip at http://www.sandstorm.se (http://www.sandstorm.se)... But I'll also show some flowers from Turkmenistan


Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:23:55 AM
More pics from Turkmenistan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:25:03 AM
More pics from Turkmenistan...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:26:31 AM
I don't know but I can only post two photos each time...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:31:35 AM
Some more photos from Turkmenistan...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:34:43 AM
More photos from Turkmenistan...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:36:27 AM
More photos from Turkmenistan...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:38:44 AM
Here is the last photos from Turkmenistan and it show how Gerry makes new friends...

/Stellan

If you press "Bilder 2008" you will find more photos from the trip at http://www.sandstorm.se (http://www.sandstorm.se)...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on July 15, 2008, 07:39:36 AM
Stellan,
Thank you for the new report. The parasit could be an Orobanche species.
Take care with your giraffe. Are you sure it will have no problems when you are away for the visa? In some regions a lot of animals were eaten, especially the exotic ones.

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:45:17 AM
Stellan,
Thank you for the new report. The parasit could be an Orobanche species.
Take care with your giraffe. Are you sure it will have no problems when you are away for the visa? In some regions a lot of animals were eaten, especially the exotic ones.

Gerd

Maybe it's better if he go with me to Ukraina... I don't think it's Orobanche because it's to big. There is a different genera but I can't remember the name now...

Some Orobanche from Kazakhstan...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:47:42 AM
Iris from Kazakhstan...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:50:57 AM
I like Allium...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:52:09 AM
More Allium from Kazakstan...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:55:00 AM
Last Allium from Kazakstan but I have more photos...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:56:27 AM
Some photos of other plants in Kazakhstan...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 15, 2008, 07:59:33 AM
I think this will be the last pictures from today... There are other kind of pictures at my website but the blog is in Swedish... You find the photos from this year when you click at "Bilder 2008"

/Stellan
http://www.sandstorm.se (http://www.sandstorm.se)

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on July 15, 2008, 09:12:47 AM
Thank you, Stellan!  :-*Good luck with your visa. We would hate to think of you and Gerry in jail ::) :P :'( :'(
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 15, 2008, 09:40:28 PM
Such an interesting trip Stellan and many thanks for always thinking of us "stay-at-homes." Until I enlarged it, I thought that parasite was a travel llama, perhaps with bee swarm attached. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Magnar on July 15, 2008, 10:02:52 PM
What an amazing trip!! Thanks a lot for the pics  :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Kristl Walek on July 16, 2008, 03:18:44 AM

i have heard rumours that in certain cultures, giraffes are the long-necked gods of great, good luck.
so keep him close and that visa will surely follow...

stay safe, stellan...




Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arillady on July 16, 2008, 09:26:09 AM
re reply #73 is this a form of Iris lactea Stellen??
What a fascinating journey and what a great companion to have. Yes please be extra careful.
 
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Roma on July 16, 2008, 09:21:37 PM
Wonderful pictures and an amazing journey Stellan. Thank you for sharing.  Is the parasite Cistanche phelypaea ?  I remember seeing it in Quatar in the Arabian Gulf while visiting my husband when he was working and living there more than 20 years ago.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 17, 2008, 09:54:55 AM
Wonderful pictures and an amazing journey Stellan. Thank you for sharing.  Is the parasite Cistanche phelypaea ?  I remember seeing it in Quatar in the Arabian Gulf while visiting my husband when he was working and living there more than 20 years ago.

Thank you... I remember the name again. It's some kind of Cistanche but the species I don't know. I have found Cistanche in many dry areas in nearly every country from Mauritania in West to China in East. The species are similar but they are parasites at different plants and most of them are yellow or purple. In Egypt I found plants about 2 m high but i Turkmenistan they was only 50 cm...

About the Iris I don't know. To many species and the variations are to big inside the species...

I'll leave Kazakhstan at 22 of July and fly to Kiev/Ukraine and stay for two weeks. I think it will not be any big problems to get a new visa and two weeks will give me time to look at the nature there and also visit the botanical garden. Does anyone know any good garden to visit near Kiev?

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on April 25, 2009, 12:43:30 PM
Hey

Gerry is still alive and are now in Makinsk in North Kazakhstan about 200 km north of Astana the capital. He was out in the forest during last days and here are some photos.

This map show the road from Egypt to Kazakhstan.

(http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder/karta11.jpg)

More photos from the trip (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2009/kaz_blommor_1/bilder_kaz_blommor_1.htm)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on April 25, 2009, 12:56:15 PM
Hi, Stellan! Good to know that you and Gerry are still busily finding great flowers on your travels. Thanks for sharing.... hope your trip  continues well. 8)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 25, 2009, 10:34:51 PM
That is incredible and encourages me to think the supernatural isn't a load of old.... after all. I went to bed at 11.30 last night, and actually said to myself, "I wonder what the travel giraffe's up to these days." Less that 15 mins later, here he is, posting more lovely pictures for us. It's great to have you and Gerry back, Stellan. Much more journeying to come I hope. :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 26, 2009, 11:08:32 AM
I hope this is the start of another long list Stellan !
Great pictures to take off !!
Thanks for your return !  ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Armin on April 26, 2009, 10:34:07 PM
Super travel pictures - read the thread from the beginning...
Good luck and healthy for your further tour!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 27, 2009, 06:03:42 AM
Stellan,
how wonderful to have you and Gerry sending us pictures again!
And very nice of Gerry to find those seeds for Peter to sow!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 12, 2009, 07:48:21 PM
Gerry have moving south and are now in Dzhezkazgan and resting after about two weeks on a bike. Here are some photos from the last days.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 12, 2009, 07:54:06 PM
Here are some more photos...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 12, 2009, 08:01:01 PM
And more photos...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Susan Band on May 12, 2009, 08:08:27 PM
wow, I don't know what is more amazing the field with the Pulsatilla or the field with the multicoloured Tulips. You certainly hit peak flowering for both.
Susan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ranunculus on May 12, 2009, 08:32:44 PM
Sorry, but the Booker is going to be ever so slightly controversial again.   Am I the only forumist who would prefer to see one or two of these truly magnificent images without our little orange friend and tourist guide?
The majority of us will never get to these remote and beautiful places and, while it is humorous and an excellent indicator of scale to see our favourite traveller in certain situations, he can prove a distraction when close-ups of glorious and unusual plants are being observed?
My apologies Stellan, your wonderful contributions are welcomed and heartily enjoyed, but I'm just an old grouch really.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 12, 2009, 08:46:07 PM
Sorry, but the Booker is going to be ever so slightly controversial again.   Am I the only forumist who would prefer to see one or two of these truly magnificent images without our little orange friend and tourist guide?
The majority of us will never get to these remote and beautiful places and, while it is humorous and an excellent indicator of scale to see our favourite traveller in certain situations, he can prove a distraction when close-ups of glorious and unusual plants are being observed?
My apologies Stellan, your wonderful contributions are welcomed and heartily enjoyed, but I'm just an old grouch really.

I can show the pictures without Gerry if you want it but not today... It's late in Kazakhstan but I'll send you a link tomorrow with new pictures. If you want to see most of the old pictures you can find them here (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/blandat_silkroad/bilder_silkroad.htm). You have to click at "Blombilder" to get to the pictures of plants. I'll upload more pictures tomorrow. You can find lots of pictures from Egypt to Kazakhstan at this side.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on May 12, 2009, 09:00:00 PM
Stellan, good to see you and Gerry are still travelling well. Thank you for the reminder link to your website and photos. http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/blandat_silkroad/bilder_silkroad.htm 
 I must say that we like to see Gerry... the scale he provides in the photos is invaluable...... for instance, how would we know  the size of the rheum without him?  We find him an essential ingredient to help us "read " the photos and would prefer he sticks with you; he's a lot more fun than a ruler to show scale and easier to recall, also!
 Yours,  Maggi and Ian
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Joakim B on May 12, 2009, 09:12:06 PM
Great work and I like Gery and have selected vision so I only see him when I wants so t me he is a nice friend.
I love the tulip field with the mixed colours looks like a low density Dutch field and not at all a "real field". Amazing.
Love the irises as well, only missing orchids to have me in 7 heaven.
All the best
Joakim
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ChrisB on May 12, 2009, 09:14:59 PM
Stellan,  I like Gerry, please keep him in your pictures.  What an amazing, remote place it looks.  And that road, wow, it must be hard cycling along those ruts.  Do take care!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lvandelft on May 12, 2009, 09:29:06 PM
Fantastic pictures Stellan. Would love to have such a bulb field next door, like you photographed there, instead of the ones I am living within.
The roads are much better here, though. ;)
Thank you so much for showing!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 12, 2009, 10:11:48 PM
Yes Cliff, you ARE an old grouch. We love to see Gerry who is such a connoisseur of fine plants. (but OK, point taken ;D)

The irises are especially thrilling for me and the marvellous Rheum and the dinky little tulip, the first one. That is quite some road Stellan, looks as if there have been a few large-tyred vehicles along it recently.

I would also like to catch up again with the other giraffes who were pictured in Peter Korn's garden some time ago. I think it may have been before Gerry took to travelling. Can you help Maggi?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 12, 2009, 10:17:02 PM
Yes Cliff, you ARE an old grouch. We love to see Gerry who is such a connoisseur of fine plants. (but OK, point taken ;D)

The irises are especially thrilling for me and the marvellous Rheum and the dinky little tulip, the first one. That is quite some road Stellan, looks as if there have been a few large-tyred vehicles along it recently.

I would also like to catch up again with the other giraffes who were pictured in Peter Korn's garden some time ago. I think it may have been before Gerry took to travelling. Can you help Maggi?

(http://www.utsidan.se/obj/photo/c1/c15a10b8eaf59f72f80af0e8096c4dc3.jpg)

Ethiopian giraffes visit Peter Korn's garden  http://www.utsidan.se/albums/view.htm?ID=3004 (http://www.utsidan.se/albums/view.htm?ID=3004)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 13, 2009, 05:53:20 AM
Stellan,
good to see you and Gerry are still enjoying the travel and the flowers. Perhaps you can get Gerry to take a pic of YOU with the next batch of flowers ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 13, 2009, 09:02:45 AM

Super images again Stellan !

Love the Iris !!! Glorious !

Have fun on these excellent roads...  ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Hans A. on May 13, 2009, 12:35:33 PM
Stellan, thanks a lot for posting this superb pictures of plants and vastness! Just breathtaking! :D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 13, 2009, 07:00:04 PM
Sorry, but the Booker is going to be ever so slightly controversial again.   Am I the only forumist who would prefer to see one or two of these truly magnificent images without our little orange friend and tourist guide?
The majority of us will never get to these remote and beautiful places and, while it is humorous and an excellent indicator of scale to see our favourite traveller in certain situations, he can prove a distraction when close-ups of glorious and unusual plants are being observed?
My apologies Stellan, your wonderful contributions are welcomed and heartily enjoyed, but I'm just an old grouch really.

Here is the link for you

http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2009/kaz_blommor_2/bilder_kaz_blommor_2.htm (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2009/kaz_blommor_2/bilder_kaz_blommor_2.htm)

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ranunculus on May 13, 2009, 07:29:17 PM
Many thanks Stellan ... hope Gerry doesn't bear a grudge?    :D

Your images are magnificent.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 13, 2009, 10:24:31 PM
Thank you for both links Stellan. I just love those giraffes and they obviously love their plants. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: shelagh on May 14, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
Funny we didn't spot that Ethiopian Giraffe when we were at Peter's last year!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ChrisB on May 14, 2009, 08:41:46 PM
He was probably on his travels Shelagh  ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 14, 2009, 10:38:43 PM
And they probably go indoors if it rains or is misty. :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 06, 2010, 06:29:42 AM
Long time and no new pictures...

Gerry is still traveling and are still in Kazakhstan. Here are some of the spingflowers from this year

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 06, 2010, 06:33:25 AM
Here are more. Can only send few pictures in each post...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 06, 2010, 06:42:40 AM
If you don't like Gerry you can see the flowers without him on my website...

Sping flowers from Kazakhstan 2010-04-19 (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_1/bilder_blommor_kaz_1.htm)

Springflowers from Kazakhstan 2010-05-06 (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_2/bilder_blommor_kaz_2.htm)

Index of pictures 2007-2010 Sorry, it's in Swedish... (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/blandat_silkroad/bilder_silkroad.htm)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 06, 2010, 07:16:42 AM
Me and Gerry are now in Semnan and here are some photos from yesterday in the mountains northeast from here.

/Stellan

 adonis
 asteraceae
 flower_1
 flower_2


i've just come across this thread since it was re-awakened--great stuff! so this is just stellan and gerry the giraffe travelling by bicycle? quite some trips! thanks for sharing these amazing places and plants...
any ideas what the asteraceae in this post was?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 06, 2010, 07:35:26 AM
I don't know the Asteraceae... It's related to Scorzonera and Tragopogon but I think it's a different genera.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 06, 2010, 07:40:37 AM
I don't know the Asteraceae... It's related to Scorzonera and Tragopogon but I think it's a different genera.

/Stellan

thanks, that's a general direction, at least, i couldn't think of that much even :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ashley on May 06, 2010, 09:47:07 AM
Great to hear from you and Gerry again Stellan 8)   What part of Kazakhstan are these pictures from?

Can anyone identify this Ranunculaceae on Stellan's website, here (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_2/bildsidor/kaz_4825.htm)?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Ian Y on May 06, 2010, 09:57:41 AM
What a welcome return of Gerry and Stellan this is.

We are glad you are both fit and travelling again looking at the plants.

Simply wonderful pictures - oh to be there and see such sights - Tulips, Fritillaria, Pulsatilla all fabulous.


Stellan are all the Fritillaria pictures from the same location? There seems to be two species one with leaf tendrils and one without.



Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 06, 2010, 10:12:36 AM
Welcome back to Stellan and Gerry !!
What a wonderful surprise to have you back !!

As stated before, the views and plants are fabulous !!  :o :o
We'd like to see many many more !!  8)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 06, 2010, 09:15:12 PM
A warm welcome home Stellan and it's great to see Gerry looking so well and healthy. His appreciation of beautiful plants grows daily it seems. What a wonderful time he had among the pulsatillas. :D We look forward to seeing more of you both and the lovely Khazak plants. Thanks so much for your postings under what must be difficult circumstances sometimes.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Peter Maguire on May 07, 2010, 07:43:08 PM
It's good to see Gerry has not lost his wanderlust.
Good to have you back Stellan.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 09, 2010, 09:35:47 AM
What a welcome return of Gerry and Stellan this is.

Stellan are all the Fritillaria pictures from the same location? There seems to be two species one with leaf tendrils and one without.


The Fritillaria pictures are from two locations and it's about 400 km between the locations. One is in norteast part of Aktobinsk Oblast and the other is in the south part in same oblast on the banks of the river Igriz.
The north location has the Fritillaria with leaf tendels but there was also plants with leaf tendels at the southern locations. On that locations 1 plant of 100 has the leaf tendels. At the north nearle every plant had it.

I think it's only one species...

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 10, 2010, 04:42:50 AM
Here is some new pictures. The photos are taken in the area northwest of Lake Aral
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 10, 2010, 09:02:48 AM
Goodness me.. how empty can a place be ??  :o :o

Stellan, I see not many cyclable roads out there...  ;D ;D

Thanks for keeping us up to date on your proceedings !  ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ashley on May 10, 2010, 10:05:30 AM
Goodness me.. how empty can a place be ??  :o :o

Uncluttered 8) rather than empty I'd say Luc ;) ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 10, 2010, 09:40:20 PM
The uninitiated says "barren, dead, desolate, empty" but the person willing to get down on hands and knees will find all sorts of interesting and even exciting plants. We have some similar areas in New Zealand's high country and they are always fascinating and rewarding of study.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 11, 2010, 07:26:23 AM
i love these open spaces! great views and plants..
i think many years of city dwelling- and the rest of my years forest dwelling! -gives me a great yearning for this sort of landscape with nothing between me and the sun!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ashley on May 11, 2010, 09:53:43 AM
Over the years our family trips were regularly punctuated by a small voice from the back of the car: "More desolate wasteland!" ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 11, 2010, 06:21:25 PM
Over the years our family trips were regularly punctuated by a small voice from the back of the car: "More desolate wasteland!" ;D

ahh, family negotiations ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 21, 2010, 06:22:35 PM
Here are some more pictures from Kazakhstan. These pictures are from the area northwest of Lake Aral about 100 km from the town Aralsk
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arisaema on May 21, 2010, 06:26:37 PM
Great pics, that Corydalis is amazing!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 21, 2010, 06:31:33 PM
Pictures from the sand dunes area about 200 km from Aralsk
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 21, 2010, 06:36:25 PM
Last two pictures from today. Dry area about 350 km NW of Aralsk
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: christian pfalz on May 21, 2010, 07:07:18 PM
hi, very intersting pics and plants...i like this plants from the stepe, and dry areas....
please more  8)
chris
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 21, 2010, 09:33:45 PM
wow--i love this area! every single plant is great--the frit! the onosma, the bladder pods-brassicaceae?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 21, 2010, 10:33:39 PM
wow--i love this area! every single plant is great--the frit! the onosma, the bladder pods-brassicaceae?

I don't know what it is. It's not Brassicaceae and I get more feeling for something from Berberidaceae but can't find the species. Leontice ??

It could also be something from Solanaceae

/Stellan
Edit: HZetterlund confirms as Leontice incerta
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: tonyg on May 21, 2010, 10:45:32 PM
Fabulous pictures.  I like 'uncluttered' places .... so different to home ::)

The two-tone iris is my favourite ... any ideas what we call it?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arisaema on May 21, 2010, 10:59:15 PM
I don't know what it is. It's not Brassicaceae and I get more feeling for something from Berberidaceae but can't find the species. Leontice ??

It could also be something from Solanaceae

That's the Corydalis! Section Oocapnos, formerly Cysticorydalis, although I'm not sure which species :)

ETA: At least I'm pretty sure that's what it is, a picture from Holubec's seed list of 2007 below, same section but obviously a different species.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 22, 2010, 12:49:30 AM
I don't know what it is. It's not Brassicaceae and I get more feeling for something from Berberidaceae but can't find the species. Leontice ??

It could also be something from Solanaceae

That's the Corydalis! Section Oocapnos, formerly Cysticorydalis, although I'm not sure which species :)

ETA: At least I'm pretty sure that's what it is, a picture from Holubec's seed list of 2007 below, same section but obviously a different species.

holy cow! corydalis! never would have thought of that :) thanks..do these seeds need to be really fresh like some other corys? that would seem a bad idea in that environment where i suppose germination conditions don't happen every year...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 22, 2010, 06:24:14 AM

That's the Corydalis! Section Oocapnos, formerly Cysticorydalis, although I'm not sure which species :)

ETA: At least I'm pretty sure that's what it is, a picture from Holubec's seed list of 2007 below, same section but obviously a different species.

Corydalis ??? It's hard to belive you but i think it's true... If it´s a Corydalis it´ll make it more easy to get the name of the species.

The plant will get 4 black/brown seeds from each flower. The seeds are about 2 mm and are hard. I was in the area to early this year but I saw the seeds last year in Kazakhstan.

Thanks Arisaema :)

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 22, 2010, 11:22:13 AM
Here are some more pictures without Gerry.

Springflowers from Kazakhstan 2010-05-22 (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_3/bilder_blommor_kaz_3.htm)

Index of pictures 2007-2010 Sorry, it's in Swedish... (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/blandat_silkroad/bilder_silkroad.htm)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2010, 11:28:13 AM
Superb photos as usual, stellan, thank you!

Remind me, please, how tall is Gerry?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 22, 2010, 11:56:48 AM
Superb photos as usual, stellan, thank you!

Remind me, please, how tall is Gerry?

Gerry is about 35 cm tall. Here is two more photos of him from Kyrgystan in July last year

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: christian pfalz on May 22, 2010, 11:59:41 AM
hi stellan,
nice foto-gallery....absolutly perfect...
regards
chris
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2010, 12:04:43 PM
Thanks, Stellan, I was trying to tell someone what his height weas and wanted to be sure I got it right! He is quite a bit shorter than Peter, for sure!  ;D

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 22, 2010, 07:45:23 PM
Superb photos as usual, stellan, thank you!

Remind me, please, how tall is Gerry?

Gerry is about 35 cm tall. Here is two more photos of him from Kyrgystan in July last year

good to keep that in mind, i think i was imagining him smaller!
and what an amazing thistle with peter and gerry!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 23, 2010, 12:25:23 AM
Over the years our family trips were regularly punctuated by a small voice from the back of the car: "More desolate wasteland!" ;D
Perhaps if they'd let you sit in the front Ashley? ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 23, 2010, 12:34:02 AM
The iris is my favourite too Tony, but then I would say that. :) I'd love to know what it is.

If those are the Corydalis seedpods on the two shown, what are the flowers like? On the Holubec species the foliage looks to be exceptionally fine (as in good, but also as in compact and deeply dessected).

Gerry has such good taste in flowers. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: ashley on May 23, 2010, 10:40:35 AM
Over the years our family trips were regularly punctuated by a small voice from the back of the car: "More desolate wasteland!" ;D
Perhaps if they'd let you sit in the front Ashley? ;D

 ;D ;D
At least the poor mites had the sense never to ask "Are we there yet?" 
Credit where credit's due. 
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arisaema on May 23, 2010, 10:56:18 AM
If those are the Corydalis seedpods on the two shown, what are the flowers like?

There's a picture of a flowering Oocapnos in the "Corydalis bible", plate 110 opposite page 137 :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 23, 2010, 08:21:27 PM
The iris is my favourite too Tony, but then I would say that. :) I'd love to know what it is.

If those are the Corydalis seedpods on the two shown, what are the flowers like? On the Holubec species the foliage looks to be exceptionally fine (as in good, but also as in compact and deeply dessected).

Gerry has such good taste in flowers. ;D
here's an image of one sp:
http://www.nargs.org/nargswiki/tiki-browse_image.php?imageId=2178
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 23, 2010, 09:54:00 PM
Thanks for that link Cohan. I'm afraid I don't have the Corydalis Bible. It came out at a time when I literally had no money at all except to pay the power bill and mortgage.

The foliage is incredibly good I think and I like the flowers too but I keep wondering what is there about its habitat or evolution that makes it produce such extreme seed pods.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 23, 2010, 11:18:12 PM
Thanks for that link Cohan. I'm afraid I don't have the Corydalis Bible. It came out at a time when I literally had no money at all except to pay the power bill and mortgage.

The foliage is incredibly good I think and I like the flowers too but I keep wondering what is there about its habitat or evolution that makes it produce such extreme seed pods.

i'm afraid i don't have any plant bibles :(
i wonder if the bladders detach whole and then blow away to try to find another spot to grow? i've seen the seed of one of these listed--pavelka or holubec? but presumably you'd need to get it right after harvest?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 24, 2010, 05:37:42 AM
The wind-blown bladder theory sounds very probably. There is a link to Jan Jilek on the "Blue Corydalis" thread that could be useful. The only thing is, the more people who know about it, the less likely I am to get there in time. He starts his seedlist in July apparently. I've had seed from him in the past and had just about 100% germination (though haven't tried Corydalis).
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 24, 2010, 06:54:20 AM
The wind-blown bladder theory sounds very probably. There is a link to Jan Jilek on the "Blue Corydalis" thread that could be useful. The only thing is, the more people who know about it, the less likely I am to get there in time. He starts his seedlist in July apparently. I've had seed from him in the past and had just about 100% germination (though haven't tried Corydalis).

i saw and tried that link--wasn't very successful for me--mostly got some kind of exe files that i couldn't open?? and one that i was able to open as a document was a 2005 seedlist..a bit confusing overall...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arisaema on May 24, 2010, 08:50:43 AM
Seed capsules being spread by the wind is correct, and Lidén and Zetterlund also say that the seeds do tolerate dry storage. The two species mentioned in the book grow in rough screes which aren't particularly easy to recreate in cultivation, but this species being a steppe plant should prove far more amenable...

Jileks site has always been a little weird, here's the direct links to his seedlist (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/cypripedium/catsed.htm), his bulblist (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/cypripedium/catbul.htm) and the Corydalis-gallery (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/coryd.htm) :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 24, 2010, 06:25:58 PM
Seed capsules being spread by the wind is correct, and Lidén and Zetterlund also say that the seeds do tolerate dry storage. The two species mentioned in the book grow in rough screes which aren't particularly easy to recreate in cultivation, but this species being a steppe plant should prove far more amenable...

Jileks site has always been a little weird, here's the direct links to his seedlist (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/cypripedium/catsed.htm), his bulblist (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/cypripedium/catbul.htm) and the Corydalis-gallery (http://www.wildbulbs.eu/coryd.htm) :)

thanks--dry storage tolerance is encouraging!
i did get that far at jilek's site-that's where i got the 2005 seedlist, and another file i couldn't open (the larger one)-it may be a windows 7 problem..

btw--great gallery--and sorry stellan for carrying on with this here!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 25, 2010, 08:56:48 AM
Seed capsules being spread by the wind is correct, and Lidén and Zetterlund also say that the seeds do tolerate dry storage. The two species mentioned in the book grow in rough screes which aren't particularly easy to recreate in cultivation, but this species being a steppe plant should prove far more amenable...

I think they are hard to grow and that part of the steppe is not easy to recreate in cultivation. They grow in salt clay that dries in summer and are wet or frozen in winter. It's very hot in summer up tp 50 C and cold in winter down to - 30 C.

The capsules are spread by vind in June and after ants open them and bring the seeds to new places.

I'll send e-mail to Zetterlund and  see if he can give it a name

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 25, 2010, 09:07:13 AM
Here are two pictures from yesterday from North Kazakhstan about 50 km West of Aktobe. I travel now in farming area so not so many plants.

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 25, 2010, 07:07:30 PM
I got mail from Zetterlund and he told it's not Corydalis and if you want the plant you should order seeds of Leontice incerta. So when I thought it was a Berberidaceae it wasn't wrong...

(http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_3/kaz_5293.jpg)

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 26, 2010, 03:41:21 AM
So now we know! :D

That fumaria looks INCREDIBLY like the one currently smothering my vegetable garden. I doubt if I'll look on it more kindly because it comes from Kazakhstan though, even if it is the home of Marat Bisengaliev! ???
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on May 27, 2010, 07:55:44 PM
I got mail from Zetterlund and he told it's not Corydalis and if you want the plant you should order seeds of Leontice incerta. So when I thought it was a Berberidaceae it wasn't wrong...

(http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_3/kaz_5293.jpg)

/Stellan

i guess the bladders are not such a rare adaptation for this sort of environment.. i guess this would then have yellow flowers--very cool plant for sure!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on May 28, 2010, 04:57:21 AM
Here are two pictures from yesterday from North Kazakhstan about 50 km West of Aktobe. I travel now in farming area so not so many plants.

/Stellan

What does the travel giraffe eat?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on May 28, 2010, 01:55:14 PM
Here are two pictures from yesterday from North Kazakhstan about 50 km West of Aktobe. I travel now in farming area so not so many plants.

/Stellan

What does the travel giraffe eat?
onions!  ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on May 29, 2010, 04:36:56 AM
Here are two pictures from yesterday from North Kazakhstan about 50 km West of Aktobe. I travel now in farming area so not so many plants.

/Stellan

What does the travel giraffe eat?
onions!  ;D

 ;D  Could be, but I'd like to hear from the travel giraffe himself.  I wonder if he like nuts?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 12:33:59 PM

What does the travel giraffe eat?
onions!  ;D

 ;D  Could be, but I'd like to hear from the travel giraffe himself.  I wonder if he like nuts?


One pictures tell more than 1000 words...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 01:04:06 PM
From dry steppe about 150 km west of Aktobe
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 01:09:42 PM
For photos from the road... About 250 km west of Aktobe. 30 cm dry clay on lime stone.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 01:16:42 PM
Some plants from the banks along a river i passed. About 200 km southeast from Uralsk

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 01:20:35 PM
Last pictures from today... About 150 km southeast from Uralsk

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on May 30, 2010, 02:49:30 PM
Last pictures from today... About 150 km southeast from Uralsk

/Stellan


The last one, Boraginaceae_5890.JPG, looks like a Rindera species.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on May 30, 2010, 04:04:08 PM
I got mail from Zetterlund and he told it's not Corydalis and if you want the plant you should order seeds of Leontice incerta. So when I thought it was a Berberidaceae it wasn't wrong...

/Stellan

i guess the bladders are not such a rare adaptation for this sort of environment.. i guess this would then have yellow flowers--very cool plant for sure!

There are lots of different plants with bladders. Most of them are from Fabaceae but sometimes from different families. This is the most common species with bladders in Nortwest Kazakhstan

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on June 16, 2010, 09:57:54 AM
We have left Kazakhstan and are now North of Samara in Russia.Here are some photos of flowers Southeast of Samara.

The map is from Kazakstan and show the roads I took by bike and what year.
2002 Blue
2003 Green
2008 Purple
2009 Pink
2010 Red

Flowers from Kazakhstan 2010-06-05 (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder_2010/kaz_blommor_4/bilder_blommor_kaz_4.htm)

Index of pictures 2007-2010 Sorry, it's in Swedish... (http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/blandat_silkroad/bilder_silkroad.htm)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Giles on June 16, 2010, 10:30:39 AM
My favourite Forum thread  :)
Thankyou!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 16, 2010, 10:07:26 PM
May I digress a little here please?

With recent and current problems in Kirghizstan, apparently with the Uzbek population in danger - honestly, I'm not too sure of WHAT exactly is happening there or why - I've been wondering about the ethnic background of these "stan" countries. Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, Kazakhstan, etc. Are the peoples in each country so different from each other that they need to fight and bully each other and not get along? One could add Kurdistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan of course and yes, obviously there are great differences in religion, culture and lifestyle and I can understand each country wanting to protect its own identity but why ARE the Kirghiz people and the Uzbeks so much at odds?
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on June 17, 2010, 09:13:55 AM
May I digress a little here please?

With recent and current problems in Kirghizstan, apparently with the Uzbek population in danger - honestly, I'm not too sure of WHAT exactly is happening there or why - I've been wondering about the ethnic background of these "stan" countries. Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, Kazakhstan, etc. Are the peoples in each country so different from each other that they need to fight and bully each other and not get along? One could add Kurdistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan of course and yes, obviously there are great differences in religion, culture and lifestyle and I can understand each country wanting to protect its own identity but why ARE the Kirghiz people and the Uzbeks so much at odds?

I can't see the different between Kirghiz, Uzbeks and Kazakh. The culture are similare and have been mixed during hundreds of years. I think it's better to talk about different clans than different etnic groups. You support you family and when there are problems you fight. Lots of Uzbeks have moved from Uzbekistan to Kirghizstan during last years mostly for work. The kirghiz lose there work and start to hate the Uzbeks. There are also fights between Kirghiz, Russian, Turks, Uzbeks and Tadjiks and everyone try to protect there own clan from the others. You can kill a person without and future problems if you pay the police...

There are also a problems with the borders in the area. The lines are made by Stalin and they don't follow the etnics groups or any rivers, mountains or something else. They was made for making it difficult for people to move and also to make it difficult to rule a country. I think they have to redraw the borders again but to do that there will be a war...

Kazakh, Kirghiz, Uzbek and Turkmen => Different etnic turkish groups
Iran, Afghanistan, Tadjikistan => Different etnic persian groups
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on June 17, 2010, 09:40:16 PM
Thank you Stellan, your notes are a great help in letting me understand the situation today. In a way, it's a bit like the rivalries between, say, Canterbury and Auckland, here in NZ, but those are based largely on rugby and cricket, rather than anything else. ;D Another problem of the area that perhaps can be put down to Stalin then. I am reading Solzhenitsyn's 'Gulag Archipelago' at present. It is a deeply harrowing book and makes me think that Hitler was an amateur in camparison with Stalin.

Thankfully, in spite of horrible politics, a country's wild flowers may continue to flourish. We are grateful that you are showing them to us. 8)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on July 13, 2010, 01:09:15 PM
Some photos from Russia. They are taken in the area between Samara and Penza in June

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 13, 2010, 10:18:00 PM
Thanks for these super pictures Stellan, as always. Gerry looks well and happy. Does anyone ever see you setting him in place and wonder "What on earth is this man up to?"
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: mark smyth on July 13, 2010, 10:23:54 PM
"One pictures tell more than 1000 words..."

especially the look of the giraffes eyes and mouth

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on July 13, 2010, 11:12:22 PM
But Gerry doesn't have a mouth :P
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 14, 2010, 12:04:27 AM
He must have. We know he eats onions. :D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arillady on July 14, 2010, 11:13:51 AM
I especially like the photo of the allium where Gerry is trying to blend in :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on July 14, 2010, 01:22:47 PM
I especially like the photo of the allium where Gerry is trying to blend in :)

According to Lesley, Gerry is trying to eat that allium ;D

In terms of trying to blend in, his pedicellate mane does a fair imitation of a spoke-form Allium head ;)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: TheOnionMan on July 24, 2010, 03:01:52 PM
Gerry is feeling lonely, so I found him a mate, Geraldine.
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.28732493.jpg
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on July 24, 2010, 09:25:23 PM
Geraldine is a real looker, Mcmark, your match-making skills are clearly pretty nifty ( A thought for other jobe opportunities??)
 
Not too sure about the logistics in getting Geraldine to Gerry..... unless she is in Africa and Stellan plans a trip....... and you know how tough these long-distance relationships can be...... :-X
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 25, 2010, 12:13:09 AM
Maggi, can you find the thread in which there were pictures of a different giraffe, or several, in Peter Korn's garden? I think it was before his brother Gerry took to the road. I think there was one pic with a pulsatilla. I'd love to see those again. :D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on July 25, 2010, 11:33:16 AM
My pleasure ,Lesley... the assorted happy camelids are here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=964.msg35609#msg35609
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 25, 2010, 11:05:27 PM
Thanks Maggi, the world's greatest detective. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Ragged Robin on July 26, 2010, 08:40:35 AM
Thanks from me too - I had no idea that Gerry had camelid relatives from Africa! They must have told him some wonderful tales of botanising trips there...no wonder he is such a keen botanist!  He certainly chooses some great plants to show us, thanks Gerry!

On another note, Geraldine does look like his type but she could prove to be a distraction when he should be concentrating on finding special plants and planning the next trip with Stellan
  ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on September 02, 2010, 04:18:58 PM
Gerry has visit Romania... Here are some photos from the montains in Northwest of Romania

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on September 02, 2010, 04:22:55 PM
Some more photos but without Gerry...

Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on September 03, 2010, 12:31:19 AM
wow, very different from recent travels! beautiful area...
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 03, 2010, 12:47:48 AM
Welcome back Gerry, don't start munching on the Aconitum. You'll get a sore tummy.

Stellan, can you say something about what seems to be a large selection of statues for garden purposes? Dwarfs, etc. The adult-sized one on the left reminds me strongly of a lovely friend I'll be seeing in Australia in a few days, but I don't know how he comes to be in Roumania! ???

I really like the little haystacks too. :)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 03, 2010, 04:00:20 AM
The adult-sized one on the left reminds me strongly of a lovely friend I'll be seeing in Australia in a few days, but I don't know how he comes to be in Romania! ???
Are you thinking of Otto in his chef's outfit?
 ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Gerdk on September 03, 2010, 05:36:57 AM
Stellan,
Pay attention to Gerrys neck - Romania (Transsylvania) is the home of Dracula - and Gerry has a very long neck! Why not feed him with some garlic?

Gerd
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 03, 2010, 06:30:38 AM
No Fermi, it was the gentleman from Kenlock I was thinking about. It was the hirsute appendages that did it. Unless he's got rid of those. I'll find out on the 16th. ;D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on September 05, 2010, 11:42:04 AM
Stellan, can you say something about what seems to be a large selection of statues for garden purposes? Dwarfs, etc. The adult-sized one on the left reminds me strongly of a lovely friend I'll be seeing in Australia in a few days, but I don't know how he comes to be in Roumania! ???

I don't know much about the large selection of statues. It was in a garden I passed along the road. There are lots of garden statues in Romania and I think this place was the worse of them.

wow, very different from recent travels! beautiful area...

It's not a different travel... I'm going home from Central Asia and are now in Central Europe. I crossed the border from Hungary to Slovakia yesterday. I will in in Austria in few days and from there it's only North back to Sweden. I will be back in Sweden in October

/Stellan
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 05, 2010, 10:49:06 PM
Best wishes for your home-coming Stellan, it's been a mighty journey. Thanks so much for taking us along and letting us share it. You surely deserve some home-grown rest and recreation. :D
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: stellan on September 06, 2010, 01:45:45 PM
Best wishes for your home-coming Stellan, it's been a mighty journey. Thanks so much for taking us along and letting us share it. You surely deserve some home-grown rest and recreation. :D

No rest in Sweden... I have to work and save money so I can go again :-) Thinking about to visit Africa this winter and North America in spring.

I have done 27 000 km sence Cairo in Egypt

(http://www.sandstorm.se/silkroad/bilder/karta13.jpg)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on September 06, 2010, 05:06:07 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o

Unbelievable achievement !!

And more plans.... 8)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: arillady on September 07, 2010, 10:39:50 AM
Wow and hells bells what a journey :o :o .... and all on a bicycle :o
 I have enjoyed all your travels and will await the next great feat.
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Maggi Young on September 07, 2010, 11:12:21 AM
Ian was hoping he might meet you when he visits Peter soon, Stellan, but that is in September so he will miss you.... what a shame. :(  We both wish you a good journey home!
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Ragged Robin on September 07, 2010, 06:27:22 PM
Wow Stellan, what an altogether incredible journey shown on your map - so many interesting plants and places  8) - Gerry must be the best travelled Giraffe in the world (is he a linguist too  ::) ?)
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: cohan on September 09, 2010, 06:55:25 AM
very impressive voyage! and how long was this trip--was that all at once, or in several stages? (i did look at the website, but it was a while ago, so now i forget  :-[
Title: Re: The Travel Giraffe
Post by: Cephalotus on October 05, 2010, 04:02:03 PM
Stellan you are master. :D To make such distance on bike. I see you were near my house... I regret I didn't know about that, maybe you could visit my area and I would host you for some time and show surroundings. Till next time. ;-)
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