Although probably lesser known in the world of Fauna, the Namibian Welwitschia (welwitschia mirabilis) is slowly being wiped off the face of the Earth. The plant, indigenous to the great Namib Desert of South Africa, has been pointed out as one of the "most hideous" plants in the known world.

The welwitschia is categorized as a speciclungmen in the plant kingdom, able to sprout only two leaves in its entire lifetime. But surprisingly, it can sprout leaves that reach up to 80 yards long and lives for 2, 000 years. Expect one of these to have seen the world during the Biblical ages.

The leaves tend to sprawl out in coiled fashion to absorb moisture from the air, leaving the impression of "diseased dragon tongues." The plant can also grow to about 20 feet wide and six feet tall, while it's roots can tickle the toes of buried ancestors six feet below. So often, botanists and gardeners would refer to the welwitschia as a half-submerged conifer tree.

But probably unhelpful to its image plight is the fact that the welwitschia is actually poisonous to most animals of the region, except the Black Rhino. And it's also a favorite home of the unusual Pyrrhocorrid Beetle, often vernacularly referred to as the mythical Pushmepullyou of Dr. Doolittle fame.

The plant was discovered by Austrian physician Friedrich Welwitsch back in 1859.