Day THREE: Flowers of Kilimanjaro

We also utilized our time to take some pictures of the flora in the Heath and Moorland Zones.

Carduus Keniensis: A “giant rosette thistle” that was abundant on much of our climb. It is native to African alpine regions on Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon, Kilimanjaro, and the Aberdares. 

Lobelia Deckenii: A giant lobelia plant that lives in the Alpine regions in East Africa. It begins as a small round plant, pictured here, but can grow to 3m high.

Each rosette produced can take decades to flower after which it dies. Each plant can have between 1 and 18 rosettes.

I thought this small alpine plant was quite striking – alas, as of now its name remains a mystery to me! Searching for small, white flowering plant oddly is not specific enough to identify this gem.