Male Welwitschia Mirabilis, Welwitschia Plain, Namibia
After germination, the seedling produces two cotyledons which grow to 25-35 mm (0.98-1.38 in) in length, and have reticulate venation. Subsequently, two foliage leaves are produced at the edge of a woody bilobed crown. The permanent leaves are opposite (at right angles to the cotyledons), amphistomatic (producing stomata on both sides of the leaf), parallel-veined and ribbon-shaped. Shortly after the appearance of the foliage leaves, the apical meristem dies and meristematic activity is transferred to the periphery of the crown.
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