101 Reasons to visit Namibia: The desert wonder

Weird, wonderful, fascinating and unique. These are just a few words that come to mind when describing the Welwitschia mirabilis. It is almost impossible to think that there are plants in the world that do not prefer lush green environments with ample rain.

In the heart of the desert, I am admiring the broad green leaves that resemble long ribbons as they spread on the ground. Although there is no sight of life nearby, this plant is flourishing quietly in the heart of the Namib Desert. Standing next to this giant, one cannot help but to be amazed! There are only a few things on Earth that can truly claim to be one of a kind and one of them is the Welwitschia. One of the most astonishing aspects of this plant is its unique leaves. At first glance it seems that the plant has a tangled mess of foliage, but it actually has only two leaves! That’s right- just two leaves.

The Welwitschia Mirabilis, is endemic to the Namib desert in Namibia and Southern Angola. Photo credits: Janke Murray

Due to the extreme weather the leaves of older plants are torn which might be mislead one into believing the plant has many leaves. These two permanent leaves are the original leaves from when the plant was a seedling. They continue to grow with the plant and never shed. The leaves are leathery, broad and strap shaped. With age and the harsh environment, as it grows the torn and tattered leaves make it look like the plant has many leaves. The Welwitschia is dioecious. The male plant has small salmon-coloured cones while the female has blue-green cones. Cone-bearing plants are often wind-pollinated, but the Welwitschia produces to small amounts of pollen and the flowers only open in succession over an extended period of time.

Photo credits: Janke Murray 

In this case, it is believed that a beetle or wasps that inhabiting the male cones are responsible for cross-pollination. Not only do the leaves and sex of the plant make it unique, but its growth habit is unlike any other plant. This means the apical growth point of the stem stops growing at an early stage, which causes the stem to grow upward and outward. The result is the obconical shape of the plant. However, this does not stop the Welwitschia from growing as they can reach heights of up to 500 mm. Some specimens found near the Swakop River are about 1.2m tall and 8.7m wide.

It is believed that some of these plants are over 2,000 years old! When visiting Swakopmund, make sure to drive the Welwitschia Road to see this incredible plant, which grows only in Namibia and in some parts of South Africa and southern Angola. This rare plant is a living testament to the power of adaptation and endurance. For plant lovers, this is definitely something for the bucket list. Next time you visit the coastal regions of Namibia, keep your eyes open for this ancient wonder. The Welwitschia mirabilis isn’t just surviving – it is thriving against all odds.