Welwitschia
noun
Wel·witsch·ia
\welˈwichēə\
Definition of Welwitschia
: a monotypic genus of desert plants (family Gnetaceae) of southwestern Africa characterized by a trunk less than a foot high but often six feet in circumference, two persistent leaves that grow at the base and die at the apex, and cone-shaped inflorescences
People Are Reading
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of welwitschia
New Latin, from Friedrich Welwitsch †1872 Austrian botanist + New Latin -ia
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up Welwitschia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!