Pocket BotanistGuide botanique
Welwitschia.
Welwitschia mirabilis
Prononciation wel-WIT-shee-uh meer-AB-ih-liss
Aussi appelée Angolan Welwitschia, Namibian Welwitschia, Tree Tumbo
This desert survivor is a true botanical oddity from the Namib Desert. It only ever produces two permanent leaves that grow from the base throughout its long life. It is a fascinating addition for collectors who enjoy unique, slow growing desert plants.
En un coup d'œil
- Niveau d'entretien
- Difficile
- Type de plante
- Gymnosperm
- Lumière
- Full sun
- Lumière en intérieur
- Soleil direct
- Arrosage
- Tous les 14 à 30 jours
- Taille adulte
- 1 to 2 meters
- Croissance
- Lente
- Rusticité
- USDA 9 à 11
- Floraison
- Summer
Entretien
Provide extremely well draining, mineral rich soil and avoid overhead watering to prevent crown rot. Watch for fungal issues if the environment is too humid or stagnant. It requires a deep pot to accommodate its long taproot.
- Arrosage
- Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
- Engrais
- Use a very dilute, balanced fertilizer only during the active growing season.
- Taille
- Only remove dead or damaged leaf tips if absolutely necessary.
- Rempotage
- Repot rarely, as this plant has a sensitive taproot that dislikes being disturbed.
- Sol
- Sandy, rocky, well draining mix
- pH du sol
- Neutral to slightly alkaline
- Température
- 5 à 45°C
- Humidité
- 10 à 40%
- Résistance à la sécheresse
- Élevée
- Durée de vie
- Perennial, can live for over 1,000 years.
- Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins
- Élevée
Signes qu'il faut rempoter
- Roots emerging from the bottom of the pot.
- Stunted growth despite proper care.
Sécurité
- Humains
- There is no known toxicity in this plant.
- Enfants
- The plant poses no specific risk to children, though the sharp, woody edges of the cones should be handled with care.
- Allergènes de contact
- The leaves can be tough and fibrous but are not known to cause skin irritation.
- Allergènes aéroportés
- There is no known respiratory risk associated with this plant.
- Comestibilité
- This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.
Comment l'identifier
- Two permanent leathery leaves
- Deep taproot for desert survival
- Woody, low growing central stem
- Leaves split into ribbon like segments
- Hauteur
- 0,3 à 0,6m
- Envergure
- 1 à 3m
- Feuilles
- green, brown, evergreen
- Fleurs
- red, brown, 2 à 4cm
- Fruits
- brown, Autumn
Problèmes courants
- Root rot — This occurs when the plant is kept in soil that remains too damp for too long.
La cultiver
- Multiplication
- seed
- Quand planter
- Spring
- Hivernage
- Keep the plant in a bright, warm location and reduce watering to a minimum during the colder months.
- En pot
- It is best grown in a very deep, narrow pot to accommodate its long taproot.
Seed
- Sow seeds in a deep, well draining sandy mix.
- Keep the soil barely moist but never waterlogged.
- Provide high light and consistent warmth for germination.
This plant is best grown as a solitary specimen due to its unique and extreme environmental requirements.
Science
- Famille
- Welwitschiaceae
- Genre
- Welwitschia
- Ordre
- Welwitschiales
- Classe
- Gnetopsida
- Région d'origine
- Namib Desert in Namibia and Angola.
- Préservation
- It is protected in its native habitat and wild collection is strictly regulated.
It relies on deep taproots to find groundwater and specialized leaf structures to capture fog.
- Intérêt pour la faune
- nectar source
- Pollinisateurs
- abeilles, coléoptères
- Utilisations
- botanical curiosity, xeriscaping
Au fil des saisons
Repères écologiques
- Salinité
- 4/9
- Réaction du sol
- 7/9
- Lumière
- 9/9
- Température
- 8/9
- Humidité
- 1/9
- Nutriments
- 1/9
Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.
Ce qu'on demande souvent
- Is it easy to grow?
- No, it is notoriously difficult to maintain in cultivation due to its specific water and soil needs.
- How often should I water it?
- Very sparingly, as it is adapted to extreme desert conditions.
D'où vient le nom
The genus is named after Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, while the species name mirabilis means wonderful.
Bon à savoir
- It is the only member of its family.
- Some individuals are estimated to be over 1,500 years old.
- It survives in the desert by absorbing moisture from coastal fog.
- The two leaves grow continuously from the base while the tips fray and die.
Aussi dans
Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?
Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.
Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.