A plant with two leaves. Distinctly octopus-like look. Ugly. These are all the characteristics of what the Afrikaans call “tweeblaarkanniedood,” which means “two leaves that cannot die.” This plant is also known as Welwitschia, located in the Namib Desert.As the name implies, Welwitschia grows only two leaves — perpetually. Some of these plants are believed to be more than 3,000 years old, and yet still continuing to grow. In line with this, <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/plant-cannot-die-reveals-genetic-145003919.html" class="on">Nature Communications reported</a> a study on Welwitschia’s peculiar shape, immortality, and resilience.Image Credit: Tao Wen via The New York Times/<a href="https://news.yahoo.com/plant-cannot-die-reveals-genetic-145003919.html" class="on">YahooNews</a>​ #welwitschia #plant #genetics #NamibDesert #immortality #cellgrowth #desertplant #leaf #stressresilience

The secret of Welwitschia?&nbsp;It is believed that the Welwitschia's genome doubled during a time of increased drought in the region, an event that’s common when there’s “extreme stress.” Not only that, but that the duplicated genes took on new functions.While this replication is energy-consuming, the Welwitschia has undergone epigenetic changes that trimmed down the energy maintenance cost of Welwitscia’s duplicated library of DNA.<blockquote>“The average plant leaf grows from the plant’s apexes, or the tippy-tops of its stem and branches. But Welwitschia’s original growing tip dies, and leaves instead pour out of a vulnerable area of the plant’s anatomy called the basal meristem, which supplies fresh cells to the growing plant, Wan said. A large number of copies or increased activity of some genes involved with efficient metabolism, cell growth and stress resilience in this area may help it continue to grow under extreme environmental stress. In a warming world, the genetic lessons that Welwitschia has to offer may help humans breed hardier, less thirsty crops.”</blockquote>Such study has a vast implication especially in agriculture.Image Credit: RobboK / pixabay