Lindernia intrepida
A resurrection plant from Namibian inselberg pools.
Lindernia intrepida is an aquatic plant found only in central-west Namibia, where it lives in semi-arid and savanna landscapes. It grows in shallow, temporary pools on granite inselbergs, enduring harsh daily swings in temperature and pH, as well as repeated cycles of wetting and drying. Formerly called *Chamaegigas intrepidus*—meaning "intrepid dwarf giant"—the name reflects how this tiny plant thrives even in desert conditions.
The plant forms intertwined mats and has two types of leaves. Underwater, it produces awl-shaped leaves 1 to 2 cm long. Two pairs of oval floating leaves, 5 to 7 mm long, sit on the water’s surface; these pairs are unequal in length. It grows from a small rhizome just 1 mm in size, anchored in a shallow layer of sand, organic debris, leaf remains, and animal dung about 1 cm deep. Its flowers are two-lipped, white or pale pink, and speckled with purple.
Lindernia intrepida is one of roughly 330 desiccant-tolerant vascular plants, and 90% of those grow on inselbergs. It is unusual among them because it is neither a fern nor a monocotyledon. Its basal leaves can survive complete drying for up to 4.5 months, with over half reviving when moisture returns—so the plants simply resume growth once the pools refill. New floating leaves, which are less tolerant of drying, can reach the water surface within 2 to 4 days after the pool refills, and flowers may appear as soon as 4 days after breaking dormancy.
German botanist Kurt Dinter discovered the species in 1909. Its former scientific name translates to "intrepid dwarf giant," a nod to its ability to endure extreme conditions. It is considered a resurrection plant because it revives quickly from complete dormancy.
The plant is native to central-west Namibia, where it grows in semi-arid conditions in very shallow temporary pools, only 15 cm deep, on granitic rock. These pools may dry out and refill 15 to 20 times per year. They also experience daily extremes: water temperature can swing from 6 to 40 °C between day and night, and late afternoon pH can exceed 10 while morning pH drops below 6. During the 11-month dry season, the rhizomes can be exposed to temperatures as high as 50 °C.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Lindernia
- Species
- intrepida
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lindernia intrepida was discovered by German botanist Kurt Dinter in 1909. It was previously known as Chamaegigas intrepidus, meaning 'intrepid dwarf giant', referring to the tiny plant's ability to thrive even in the desert. The plant grows in intertwined mats, with two different leaf types: underwater awl-shaped leaves 1 to 2 cm long, and two pairs of unequal-length oval floating leaves 5 to 7 mm long. It grows from a small 1 mm rhizome in a combination of sand, organic debris, leaf remains, and animal dung that is 1 cm deep. The flowers have two lips and are white or pale pink with purple speckles.
Reader's Guide
Lindernia intrepida is one of approximately 330 desiccant-tolerant vascular plants, 90% of which are found growing on inselbergs. It is one of the rare desiccant-tolerant vascular plants that is not a fern or monocotyledon. The basal leaves can survive complete drying for 4.5 months, with more than 50% reviving after receiving moisture—so the plants simply resume growing once the pools fill again after a dry spell. New floating leaves, which do not survive drying as well as the basal leaves, can reach the water surface as soon as 2–4 days after the pool refills, with flowers appearing as early as 4 days after breaking dormancy. The plant is considered a resurrection plant because it quickly revives from complete dormancy. Its habitat consists of very shallow (15 cm) temporary pools in granitic rock that can dry out and refill 15 to 20 times each year. The pools experience daily extremes of temperature and pH: water temperatures range from 6 to 40 °C between day and night, while late afternoon pH can exceed 10 and morning pH drop below 6. The rhizomes can be exposed to 50 °C temperatures during the 11-month dry season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lindernia intrepida?
It is a tiny aquatic resurrection plant native to central-west Namibia that survives in shallow, temporary pools on granite inselbergs. Despite its minuscule size, it endures extreme daily swings in temperature and pH as well as repeated wetting-and-drying cycles in a semi-arid landscape.
Where does Lindernia intrepida grow in the wild?
Its range is restricted to shallow, ephemeral pools that form on granite inselbergs across the semi-arid and savanna regions of central-west Namibia. These pools fill and dry out on a recurring cycle, and the plant must tolerate both phases.
What does Lindernia intrepida look like?
It forms intertwined mats and produces two kinds of leaves: underwater awl-shaped leaves 1 to 2 cm long and two pairs of small oval floating leaves just 5 to 7 mm across. Its rhizome is only about 1 mm in size, making the whole plant remarkably compact.
What is the story behind the name 'intrepida'?
The species was formerly called Chamaegigas intrepidus, a Latin phrase meaning 'intrepid dwarf giant' that captures how such a minuscule plant thrives in harsh, desert-like conditions. The current binomial retains the 'intrepida' epithet as a nod to that same hardy, fearless character.
Who first described Lindernia intrepida and when?
German botanist Kurt Dinter identified the species in 1909 during his work in Namibia. It has since been recognized as a resurrection plant uniquely adapted to the fleeting pools of Namibian granite inselbergs.
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