Welwitschia
Across the harsh environment of the northern Namib desert, a truly unique plant has been flourishing, almost unchanged, for thousands of years.
Welwitschia mirabilis can survive for hundreds of years in the arid desert by absorbing water from sea fog and deep groundwater.
Welwitschia play a key role in the desert ecosystem, providing food to various animals, as well as the local peoples of the area.
Recent research suggests that climate change could be impacting Welwitschia’s habitat, putting it at risk of extinction.
While it’s hard to measure their exact ages, some Welwitschia plants are thought to be over 2000 years old.
Plant description
Welwitschia mirablilis grows around 1m tall and is formed of two large leaves, a stem base and a taproot. As the two wide, pale green, fleshy leaves grow, they split over time into multiple segments, making the plant appear to have many more leaves. The ends of these leaves are often dry and dead-looking.
The stem is an inverted cone shape, an average of 90cm across, and only around 30cm tall.
Welwitschia mirabilis is a dioecious plant, meaning pollen cones and seed cones are produced on separate plants. The pollen cones are a pinkish colour, oblong with small stigma-like growths on them. The seed cones are blue-green, larger than the pollen cones, but more rounded. Both cones produce a sugar-rich nectar-like substance to attract pollinators.
Plant uses
Cultural
Welwitschia mirabilis features on the coat of arms of Namibia.
Food and drink
The Damara and Herero people of Namibia eat the seed cones raw, baked and roasted.
Materials and fuels
The cork that lines the inside of younger Welwitschias is used as firewood.
Did you know?
The Afrikaans name for Welwitschia, tweeblaarkanniedood, means 'two leaves that cannot die'.
The plant is named after Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, one of the first Europeans to describe the plant. When he first came across it, it is said that he 'could do nothing but kneel down on the burning soil and gaze at it, half in fear lest a touch should prove it a figment of the imagination.'
Many desert dwelling animals, such as zebras, oryx and black rhinoceros, feed on the leaves of Welwitschia for a vital source of water.
Where in the world?
Exclusively found in the Kaokoveld area of the Namib desert.
