CAN WELWITSCHIA-MIRABILIS HAVE MORE THAN ONLY 2 FOLIAGE LEAVES

Photographs are presented of abnormal foliation in a population of Wel witschia mirabilis in the area south and west of the Brandberg in the Namib desert (Namibia). There are apparently two distinct types of abn ormal foliation which are interpreted as being either a second success ive leaf pair inserted decussate with respect to the first pair of fol iage leaves or as the result of a break-through of a trace bud that mi ght be related to the bud of an inflorescence.