WELWITSCHIACEAE

WELWITSCHIACEAE 

Welwitschia bainesii ( = Welwitschia mirabilis ) is the only species of genus welwitschia of family welwitschiaceae of order Gnetales . Dr Friederich Welwitsch discovered welwitschia . Because of its peculiar habit , it's common name is desert octopus . It occurs in desert . This plant survives in such adverse conditions for a very long period  because of the prescence of an exceptionally long tap root . Welwitschia is also called most bizzare or strange of all gymnosperms . It appears like gigantic wooden radish or turnip . Major part is burried in the soil . The exposed part has a concave disc bearing two very large strap shaped leaves ( sometimes upto 2 meters ) .The leaves split into ribbon like structures . The apical meristem dies soon and it results in increased growth .