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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia

• inanutshellus 5y ago
  > known as weeblaarkanniedood in Afrikaans Gonna have to remember that for the next time I stub a toe or step on a Lego...
• klyrs 5y ago
  Contrast to the breathless headline, > Although Welwitschia mirabilis is not at present immediately threatened, there being abundant populations over a large area, its status is far from secure; its recruitment and growth rates are low, and its range, though wide, covers only a single compact, ecologically limited and vulnerable area. The remarkable longevity of Welwitschia favours its survival of temporary periods adverse to reproduction, but it offers no protection against circumstances of direct threat, such as overgrazing and disease. Fungal infection of female cones severely reduces seed viability, reducing already inherently low recruitment. Other threats include injury from off-road vehicles, collection of wild plants and overgrazing by zebras, rhinos, and domestic animals.
  • SamBam 5y ago
    I don't think it's a needlessly "breathless" headline. Some of the individual plants are over 2000 years old. That's incredible for a non-tree organism, particularly one that lives in the middle of the desert. But yes, in the end the anthropocene will come for all organisms.