Ex Situ Horticulture of Welwitschia mirabilis

Authors

  • Bob Ursem Botanic Garden of Delft University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2004.158

Abstract

Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f. occurs in the Namib Desert of Namibia and Angola. It survives on fog which condenses on its leaves, supplemented by flooding every six to ten years. The seeds contain germination-inhibiting alkaloids which must be washed out by rainfall before germination can take place. Many seeds are also infected with the fungus Aspergillus niger which causes high levels of mortality in newly germinated seeds. A strategy for the control of this black smut fungus is described along with techniques for seed sowing and cultivation.

Author Biography

Bob Ursem, Botanic Garden of Delft University of Technology

Bob Ursem is Scientific Director of the Botanic Garden of Delft University of Technology

References

BORNMANN, C.H. (1972) Welwitschia mirabilis: paradox of the Namib Desert. Endeavor 113: 95-99

COURT, D. (1981) Succulent Flora of Southern Africa. Rotterdam, A.A. Balkema

HERRE, H. (1954) Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f. from seeds to seed in the Botanic Garden of the University of Stellenbosch, C.P. Journal of South African Botany 20; 23-26

SENTERS, A.E. (1997) Welwitschia mirabilis cultivation. AERGC Newsletter 10(2): 5-7

URSEM, B.W.N.J. (1994) Welwitschia mirabilis in de Amsterdamse Hortus. De Plantage Hortus 10(1): 1-2

VON WILLERT, D.J. & WAGNER-DOUGLAS, U. (1994) Water relations, CO2 exchange, water-use efficiency and growth of Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.fil. in three contrasting habitats of the Namib desert. Bot. Acta 107: 291-299

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Published

2004-10-31

How to Cite

Ursem, B. (2004). Ex Situ Horticulture of Welwitschia mirabilis. Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, (2), 47–50. https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2004.158

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