Looking like a creature straight out of Jurassic Park, the peculiar Dehydrosecio kilimanjari can only be found at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, is an intriguing wonder. As you climb this towering mountain, the climate zones gradually transform into an environment that is unlike anything on ground level. This creates a habitat for unique and uncommon species that are scarcely found anywhere else, making it all the more fascinating. One of the most remarkable species that inhabit this area is the Kilimanjaro giant groundsell, also known as the Dendrosenecio kilimanjari. This prehistoric plant has been around for approximately a million years and has a distinctive appearance, resembling a blend between a burnt-out cactus and a pineapple.
The Dendrosenecio kilimanjari plant is exclusive to Mount Kilimanjaro, where it can thrive at altitudes ranging from 14,000-16,000 feet (4300-5000 meters), thanks to its ability to adapt to extremely cold temperatures. Despite its slow growth rate, this plant can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall. Other variations of the giant groundsell plant (Dendrosenecio) exist on a few other East African mountains, but nowhere else.
According to scientists, the Giant Groundsels belong to the dandelion family and are believed to have evolved from a common groundsels species around a million years ago. Through wind-borne seed distribution, these plants gradually climbed higher up the mountains, moving only a few meters at a time, until they eventually transformed into a new species.
In order to survive the harsh environment where temperatures regularly drop below freezing overnight, giant groundsel plants have adapted by developing water storage in the pith of their stem. Additionally, when it gets too cold, the leaves of the plant close up. These natural adaptations act as an “anti-freeze” for the plant. Moreover, the plants use withered and dead foliage to insulate themselves, which contributes to their unique appearance.
