Perennials, Tropicals > Welwitschia > Welwitschia mirabilis > Welwitschia mirabilis subsp. namibiana
Welwitschia mirabilis
ssp. namibiana
Origin: Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana is found growing in the central Namib desert of coastal Namibia near the Atlantic coast. Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana inhabits alluvial soil along dry riverbeds. The first fossils of this species appear in the geological record 112 million years ago. Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana has recently been discovered to be distinct from the Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. mirabilis population in southwestern Angola.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana is an amazing example of a living fossil and allows us to connect with the ancient past like few other plants on this entire planet. With specimens surpassing a millennium in age (some researchers feel closer to 2 millennia), this genus has seen the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the death of Gaius Julius Caesar. While one is inclined to believe Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana currently has little utility in the landscaping space, the rise of xeriscape gardens may bring Welwitschia mirabilis into the popular focus.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Genus |
| Welwitschia |
| Species |
| mirabilis |
| Category |
| Perennials, Tropicals |
| Subspecies |
| namibiana |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 9a - 11 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Greater than 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H1c |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-6.7) - 20 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 20 - 68 |
| Height |
| 0.5 - 1.8 m |
| Spread |
| 8.7 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| This plant is made up of roots, a woody stem, and two original leaves which continue the grow throughout the lifetime of the plant. Becoming frayed with age, they simply pile up around the base of this messy specimen. |
| Landscape |
| Used in xeriscaping. |
| Cultivation |
| Grow under full sun. Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana lives in naturally foggy areas, so these plants will benefit from misting. Alongside fogs, Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana requires extra moisture if grown in pots, so soil must not be allowed to dry out. Sandier soils are preferred as the high organic content of regular soils are an invitation for fungal infections that Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana, being naturally from arid areas, has no defence against. |
| Shape |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana could be best described as a low spreading mound. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| Pests |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana has serious problems with fungal infections and thus specimens should be monitored. |
| Habitat |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana has historically been found along dry riverbeds growing in alluvial soils, and infrequently on rock outcrops. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana possesses a short and stocky stem, rarely surpasses 0.3 m tall but can swell to 1.5 m wide. Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana possesses cork textured bark. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana is a gymnosperm, the male cones of this plant bear a resemblance to a pistil with a pinkish-white colour. These cones will produce nectar from a pseudo-stigma to aid in pollination. |
| Fruit Description |
| Being a dioecious species, female plants produce larger, tapering cones that are bluish-green in colour. These female cones also produce a droplet of nectar. |
| Colour Description |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana displays a year-round bract colour of pale bluish-green. However, with proper fertilization the plant may take on a more vibrant hue of green. |
| Texture Description |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana possesses leaves with a leathery texture, and a woody stem with cork-like bark. |
| Propagation |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana can be grown from seed in mineral-rich sand that is kept well-drained. Watering with an anti-fungal agent until the plant is established is a good idea, seeing as the species has no natural defences against fungal infections in its native habitat. Adding anti-fungal agents to water should be continued for the first 8 months after seeding, afterwards Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana should grow steadily with few issues. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Welwitschia mirabilis ssp. namibiana has long been used for its core as a food source by the local Herero people, and recently as a planting in low maintenance xeriscape gardening. |
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