‘Living fossil’ built for desert survival
Welwitschia mirabilis
Family: Welwitschiaceae
Conservation status: Closely monitored, no immediate threat
Mirabilis means ‘extraordinary’ in Latin, and Welwitschia mirabilis lives up to its name. The sole survivor of the Welwitschiaceae family, this “living fossil” is found only in the Namib Desert of southwest Africa.
Despite some areas of its range receiving less than half an inch of rain annually, larger specimens may live more than 1,500 years. Regardless of age, individual plants will only ever grow two leaves, expanding from the basal meristem at the central part of the plant. While they may twist, split, and fray over time, these two leaves will endure throughout the life of the plant.
Welwitschia are gymnosperms – related to conifers and cycads – and produce tiny cones on separate male and female plants.
More information
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory Mobile Plant Informer
- Kew Royal Botanic Gardens profile page
- Kruger National Park, South Africa profile