Millions of years have gone by, but witnesses to the times when dinosaurs ruled the planet and Homo sapiens had yet to emerge are still very much alive. Here’s a look at the top 5 survivors that have adapted to all the drama the Earth has gone through to end up adorning the gardens of anyone willing to appreciate their prehistoric beauty.
Ginkgo biloba
Praised for its medicinal properties, this tree is a real living fossil that has made it to the present day almost unchanged due to its incredible resilience. Dating back to the Mesozoic Era, it has stood the test of more than 200 million years of climate change and environmental shifts. Although its natural habitat is now restricted to a small mountainous area in Eastern China, itâs common in botanical gardens, parks, greenhouses, and plantations worldwide. If youâre thinking of getting a plant that truly defies time, try planting Ginkgo biloba in your backyard for a touch of ancient allure.
Welwitschia mirabilis
Known as âtwo leaves; can’t dieâ in Afrikaans, this is a stubborn plant, native to the Namib Desert in West Africa. Throughout its entire 1000-year lifespan, Welwitschia mirabilis grows just two leaves, each 6â13 ft (2â4 m) long, which eventually get split into numerous narrow ribbons by the wind. The developed root system reaches up to 10 ft (3 m) in the ground, helping the plant resist storms, and its many pores on the leaf surface allow it to absorb moisture from coastal fogs and infrequent rains.
Welwitschia mirabilis is endangered, its trade is prohibited in Namibia, and itâs rarely found in private collections and botanical gardens. However, if youâre lucky enough to get the seeds, you can cultivate this plant for generations to come by providing it with proper temperature conditions, planting in light, loose, sandy soil, and misting regularly.
Protea cynaroides
You might have seen it in fancy bouquets before, but Protea cynaroides predates the dinosaurs themselves, estimated to be 300 million years old! It was named after the Greek god Proteus, who changed his appearance at will. With its over 80 species displaying various shapes and colors, Protea truly lives up to its namesake. Though the plant is endemic to South Africa, itâs quite feasible to grow it in open ground if you live in a warm climate or in a greenhouse if you dwell in cooler regions. Just make sure the temperature doesnât drop below 68â70°F (20â21°C) during the growing season, and let it winterize at 45â50°F (7â10°C). If youâre up for the challenge, you may even try growing Protea from seeds, although itâll require extra time and effort compared to planting seedlings. Apart from that, your Protea will only need frequent yet moderate watering when the soil dries out, regular fertilizing, and bright indirect light to turn your yard into a prehistoric garden.
Wollemia nobilis
These coniferous trees in the Araucariaceae family were believed to be extinct millions of years ago, until they were rediscovered in 1994 in Australia. Due to their high vulnerability to the Phytophthora fungal pathogen and the devastating fires of 2019â2020, their population in the wild has drastically declined. Luckily, immediate protective measures were taken as soon as these ancient trees were discovered, and now theyâre widespread in nurseries, private collections, and botanical gardens around the globe. Theyâre available for purchase as seeds and seedlings, so if youâre interested in preserving the beauty of these Mesozoic Era plants, go ahead! With the right care, this remarkable species will absolutely thrive in USDA zone 7.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Metasequoia glyptostroboides was also considered extinct until 1941, when researchers found a large population of these trees in China. Tens of millions of years ago Metasequoia was abundant in North America and parts of Eurasia, but its numbers started to dwindle due to climate change and competition from broadleaf trees. Nowadays, the only areas in the wild where Metasequoia glyptostroboides can be found are the Chinese provinces of Hubei, Xichuan, and Hunan. However, the plant can be admired in botanical gardens around the world and purchased as seedlings.
We hope the stubborn nature of these species have sparked your interest. Next time you visit your local nursery, consider searching for one of these plantsâand who knows, this might just be the start of your very own Jurassic Park!