Which distinctive plant has two enormous leaves that spread across the ground in the Namib Desert?

The distinctive plant found in the Namib Desert that features two enormous, straplike leaves is known as welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis).12

This unusual gymnosperm is the sole member of its family, Welwitschiaceae. While the plant produces only one permanent pair of leaves throughout its life, these leaves grow continuously from the base. Over time, they become split and frayed by the desert winds and sand, often creating the appearance of multiple leaves. Some specimens of this remarkable plant are estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. Due to its rarity and historical over-collection, the species is now protected by law.12