Welwitschia

An extraordinary species of plant native to the areas of Namibia. They are named after Friedrich Welwitsch, a well-known Austrian botanist and explorer who first documented the existence of this plant. They are Gnetophyte plants, distinguishable by their particular covering around the seeds, of large size which resembles a rare fruit. They produce a single copy of leaves that continue to grow out of proportion, curling together to create a real spectacle for the eyes. The epidermis is dark green-green in colour with sometimes light and in other cases sharper streaks. They are plants that are accustomed to a mild climate, with high temperatures and cannot withstand the cold below 10-12 degrees. The soil suitable for Welwitschia is a well-draining substrate, it must promote water exchange by avoiding stagnation and consequently also root rot to which the plant is subject.