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What makes Welwitschia mirabilis different in appearance from other gymnosperms?

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Gymnosperm Pine cone and exposed seeds of the pinyon pine (*Pinus edulis*). Pinyon pines are gymnosperms and bear their edible seeds, known as pine nuts, in protective cones instead of fruit.

Welwitschia mirabilis is distinct from other gymnosperms primarily due to its unique, permanent leaf structure and its unusual growth habit. While most gymnosperms produce various leaves throughout their lifespan, Welwitschia produces only two permanent, broad, straplike leaves that grow continuously from a basal meristem for the duration of the plant's life—which can span up to 2,000 years.12

These leaves often become frayed and split over time, giving the appearance of multiple leaves, though they originate from a single pair. The plant itself features a short, cone-shaped stem and a deep taproot, causing it to resemble a large turnip or radish. Additionally, while it reproduces via cones like other gymnosperms, its reproductive structures are morphologically complex, with staminate cones containing flowerlike complexes that are superficially similar to the perianth of flowering plants.12