2011/12/20

ancient desert plant


"Welwitschia mirabilis is known locally as kharos or khurub (Nama), tweeblaarkanniedood (Afrikaans), nyanka (Damara), or onyanga (Herero). The plant, which is considered a living fossil, is named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch who discovered it in 1859. The geographic distribution of Welwitschia mirabilis is limited to the Namib desert within Namibia and Angola and it lives 1000 years or more. Some individuals may be more than 2000 years old.
The plant absorbs water through structures on its leaves, harvesting moisture originating from Namib desert morning fogs that blow in during the night, comprising the main source of water for much of the desert life." (wiki)

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