| Synonyms: |
Tumboa bainesii Hook.f. Welwitschia bainesii (Hook.f.) Carrière Welwitschia mirabilis Hook. f. subsp. namibiana Leuenb. Welwitschia namibiana (Leuenb.) Christenh. & Byng |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Large and uniquely strange dioecious perennial with short but massive woody stem and taproot. Stem crowned by 2 (rarely 3) strap-shaped leaves that continuely grow from the stem throughout the life of the plant, becoming twisted and frayed with age; veining subparallel; stomata present on both leaf surfaces. Stem apex a concave disc up to a meter across, bearing branched reproductive shoots near the leaf bases. Pollen cones red, in groups of 2-3 terminally on each branch. Ovulate cones also arising from branched reproductive shoots, each red cone with 2 bracts resembling a perianth. Usually only one seed develops within each cone; dispersal by wind with 'perianth' as a wing. |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | mirabilis: wonderful (Latin). |
| Habitat: | in very dry desert. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Southern Angola and northwestern Namibia |
| Provinces: | Na |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | Near Endemic |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2008). Plants of Angola Strelitzia 22 SANBI, Pretoria Page 209. as subsp. mirabilis |