Giant Loebelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia, detail of old withered stem of the flower spike, which shows structures known from modern fiber enforced materials (biomimicry, bio-inspired) - layers of fibers. Giant Lobelias are typical and very often endemic to the high mountains and plateaus of East Africa. They are adapted to the daily change between frost in the nights and the heat of the tropical days as well as the extreme UV radiation of African mountains. Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia