Southern Africa / Natural world
Welwitschia mirabilis
This desert plant looks like a heap of fraying ribbons. Its adult foliage is just two leaves, growing continuously from their bases.
A plant can look thoroughly weathered and still be adding new growth. The torn ends conceal a remarkably persistent way of living.
A CLOSER LOOK
Welwitschia grows in the deserts of Namibia and Angola. Its two permanent leaves lengthen over time and split into strips, making one plant look as though it has a much larger collection of leaves.
Some individuals survive for more than a thousand years. Researchers studying its genome have investigated the biological adaptations behind that extraordinary longevity. Look at the center of the plant, where the leaves emerge: the oldest-looking ends are only one part of a continuing process.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Royal Botanic Gardens, KewWelwitschia mirabilisNature CommunicationsThe Welwitschia genome and extreme longevityOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.