Erica melanthera leaves

The leaves of Erica melanthera are small, growing in threes, ascending up the stems. The leaves may be sparsely hairy; in picture they are slightly shiny and reddish, appearing thick and cylindrical with rounded tips. There are narrow slits at the back of the leaves where the rolled under margins meet or not quite.

On E. chamissonis, a related and similar species, the backs of leaves are more open (Baker and Oliver, 1967; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).