Ethiopia: Simien Mountains NP – Giant Lobelias

Giant lobelia is a an alpine plant found in East Africa above 13,000 feet. It looks like half-palm and half-succulent and is well adapted to the cold and harsh environment of such high elevations. There are five distinct species of Giant Lobelias, and the one in the Simien Mountains is endemic and grows nowhere else. Here, they form almost forests and the upright flower stalks reach up into the sky at almost 3-5 times human height.