Welwitschia has been classified as a CAM plant (crassulacean acid metabolism) after reconciliation of some initially contradictory and confusing data. There are however some very puzzling aspects to the matter; for example, the employment of the CAM metabolism is very slight, which was part of the reason that it took so long to establish its presence at all; it is not understood why this should be.
Welwitschia has been classified as a CAM plant! (crassulacean acid metabolism) after reconciliation of some initially contradictory and confusing data. Th:ere are however some very puzzling aspect.s to the matt:er; for example, the employment of the CAM metabolism is very slight, which was part of the reason that it took so long to establish its presence at all; it is not understood why this should be.