Which plant is famous for having just two permanent leaves throughout its life?

Welwitschia mirabilis is famous for having just two permanent leaves throughout its life.

Native to the Namib Desert of southwestern Africa, Welwitschia grows from a short, woody stem and produces two strap-like leaves. Those leaves continue growing from their bases for decades, often splitting and becoming tangled in the wind, so an old plant may appear to have many leaves.

The species is dioecious: individual plants are usually either male or female. It produces cone-like reproductive structures and is pollinated mainly by insects. Its deep roots and adaptations to fog and scarce rainfall help it survive in one of the world’s driest environments.

Welwitschia is a gymnosperm, meaning its seeds are not enclosed inside fruits. It is not a cactus, although its desert habitat and unusual appearance sometimes lead to that mistaken identification.