EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Species of Gnetum of the Gnetaceae are tropical vines (rarely trees or shrubs) with opposite (decussate), simple leaves (Figure 5.27A), looking like an angiosperm but, of course, lacking true flowers Welwitschia mirabilis of the Welwitschiaceae is a strange plant native to deserts of Namibia in southwestern Africa.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gnetum is a genus of gymnosperms, the sole genus in the family Gnetaceae within the Gnetophyta. They are tropical evergreen trees, shrubs and lianas. Unlike other gymnosperms, they possess vessel elements in the xylem.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gnetum species are characterized by such traits as decussate leaves, pinnate leaf veins, and the presence of vessels in stems, all of which resemble characters of angiosperms (Markgraf, 1930).

Detailed explanation-4: -Common names include gnetum, joint fir, two leaf, melinjo, belinjo, bago, and tulip.