Welwitschia Mirabilis – Uncrowned Monarch of the Namib

With the family, genus and species all rolled into one, Welwitschia Mirabilis is truly one of a kind. A rarity among rarities. It is found only in the Namib Desert, extending from Namibia to Angola. Throughout the biological world and since the discovery of this bizarre Namib endemic in 1859, no other plant has aroused the curiosity and attraction of so many scientists.

Welwitschia is the national plant of Namibia. It is a true flagship species of the Namib Desert and although not the prettiest, it is the most peculiar and advanced due to its amazing botanically engineered life form with an incredible capacity to survive the Namib desert environment. It is no small wonder that Welwitschia is one of the most researched desert plants in the world.