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How does Welwitschia mirabilis survive in the deserts of southwestern Africa?

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Gymnosperm Pine cone and exposed seeds of the pinyon pine (*Pinus edulis*). Pinyon pines are gymnosperms and bear their edible seeds, known as pine nuts, in protective cones instead of fruit.

Welwitschia mirabilis is a unique gymnosperm that survives in the arid Namib desert through several specialized adaptations:

Deep Root System: The plant possesses a deep taproot that may extend 1.5 meters or more into the ground, likely allowing it to access water sources unavailable to other desert vegetation.12
Fog Utilization: It is hypothesized that the plant absorbs moisture from the desert’s frequent morning fog through its leaves, though this process remains unproven.1
Leaf Cooling: While the plant takes up carbon dioxide during the day, this process causes significant water loss through transpiration. This water loss is believed to serve a critical function by cooling the surface of its large leaves in the intense desert heat.1

Despite these adaptations, the exact mechanisms that allow such a large plant to thrive in an environment with minimal rainfall are still not fully understood by scientists.12