Welwitschia mirabilis
Welwitschia is a monotypic genus of gnetophytes containing only the species Welwitschia mirabilis. It is named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, who documented the plant in the 1850s. In common use, it is sometimes referred to as the tree tumbo. It is native to Angola and Namibia, where it grows in the extreme conditions of the Namib desert, tolerating high heat and low precipitation. Welwitschia is the only living genus of the family Welwitschiaceae and order Welwitschiales, and is one of three extant genera of gnetophytes, alongside Gnetum and Ephedra.
AI overview
Welwitschia mirabilis is a remarkable desert plant native to Angola and Namibia that survives in the extreme conditions of the Namib Desert by tolerating intense heat and minimal rainfall. It is scientifically significant as the sole living genus of its family and order, and represents one of only three surviving groups of gnetophytes, making it an important example of plant diversity and adaptation.
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Species
Welwitschia
SPECIES
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassGnetopsida
- OrderWelwitschiales
- FamilyWelwitschiaceae
Native toAngola, Namibia
Observations1,318
Welwitschia mirabilis 百歲蘭（學名：Welwitschia mirabilis）是单种科百歲蘭科百歲蘭属的唯一品种。又稱為百歲葉、千歲蘭、奇想天外、二葉樹。最早發現于1859年9月3日，由奧地利探險家Friedrich Martin Joseph Welwitsch發現于非洲安哥拉的沙漠之中。主要分布在安哥拉與納米布沙漠。茎短，一生只長兩片葉。雌雄異株。葉上的氣孔會吸收大氣中的水氣，根極長，可達3米至10米，以吸收地下水。經過碳14測試推測其平均壽命可達數百年其中一部分甚至可到2000年，故得此名。 是《瀕危野生動植物種國際貿易公約》（華盛頓公約）附錄II保護的植物。 由於是裸子植物演化成為被子植物的過渡環節，具有高度學術價值。 具有強烈的直根性，主根一旦受傷，將非常容易死亡，根又極長，人工栽培十分困難。
via GBIF · Kew POWO
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Welwitschia mirablis ^ Ragnhild-4657 - Flickr - Ragnhild & Neil Crawford.jpg
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy
- Description
- Genetics
- Distribution and habitat
- Cultivation
- Conservation
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- External links
Welwitschia is a monotypic genus of gnetophytes containing only the species Welwitschia mirabilis. It is named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, who documented the plant in the 1850s. In common use, it is sometimes referred to as the tree tumbo. It is native to Angola and Namibia, where it grows in the extreme conditions of the Namib desert, tolerating high heat and low precipitation. Welwitschia is the only living genus of the family Welwitschiaceae and order Welwitschiales, and is one of three extant genera of gnetophytes, alongside Gnetum and Ephedra.
Welwitschia is well known for its unique morphology. The plant has only two leaves that grow out of a large woody stem, known as a crown, and continue to grow throughout the plant's life. Welwitschia is one of the longest-living plants on Earth, with some individuals being thousands of years old. Because of the long lifespan the leaves can become quite large, often reaching several meters in length.